N.L. cannabis producers confident they'll be seeing green in 2021

Cannabis producers in Newfoundland and Labrador say they're looking forward to the year ahead, despite the challenges of 2020, and they don't expect the recent pullout of Canopy Growth to affect the provincial market.

Oceanic Cannabis and Coffee opened in Burin in December to an overwhelming response, according to Oceanic ReLeafpresident and CEOTaylor Giovannini.

Giovannini said the business was built with rural Newfoundland in mind, trying to make cannabis accessible enough to support the entire Burin Peninsula including a cannabis and coffee drive-thru.

"Whether you're comfortable buying cannabis or not the stigma does still exist, and I know a lot of people are resistant to go into an actual cannabis store," she told CBC Radio'sOn The Golast week.

Oceanic is one of several rural producers that has opened its doors since cannabis legalization in 2018. Giovannini said the opening process took longer than expected,as entering the retail cannabis business came with a learning curve.

"Each individual went about it in different ways in terms of the retail," she said.

"It's a learning curve for Oceanic as well, and I think it just took that much time to figure out the perfect path. And here we are."

Part of Oceanic's plan also includes a production facility in Burin. Starting as a cultivator of medical cannabis, Giovannini said the company has expanded to recreational cannabis and hopes to produce it in the community's old fish plant, whichpreviously employed 125 people.

"It's close to home, and it's very important to me to know that there's an economic benefit to the places in need such as Burin," she said. "We were more than happy to bring employment there."

People are noticing a difference.- Rita Hall

Corner Brook's BeeHighveis also continuing to expand in 2021, creating new products and furthering its research and development in the community.

BeeHighvepresident and CEO Rita Hallsaid she sees the growth of the local market as nothing but positive.

"It's a good thing for the province, because we're able to [create] local business and hire local," Hall said. "That's a really positive thing. It will help drive the economy as local people hire local people."

As business continues to expand, Hall said she's confident in the market for 2021despite Canopy Growth pulling the plug on planned operations in St. John'slast month.

Canopy's facility, planned for the White Hills area, was expected toproduce 12,000 kilograms of dried cannabis per year, create146jobs and ensureat least 8,000 kilograms wouldbe availablefor distribution and sale in Newfoundland and Labrador alone.

The150,000-square-foot facility, which was to be Canopy's largestoperation in Atlantic Canada, never opened its doors.

Hall is confident businesses like hers will still thrive in the local economy.

"What I have to offer is very different than Canopy Growth," Hallsaid. "They're mass-producing.I'm growing in small batches, I'm growing differently, several unique strains.

"People are noticing a difference, I think, in our product versus other companies' products," she added. "We do everything by hand. Not even the watering is done by machine."

Giovannini echoed the same idea, saying licensed producersare prepared to continue growing and pushing forward in 2021.

"Our province is increasing in sales every month," she said. "We're set to produce 4,000 kilos so there's lots of room here."

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