Packaging problems causing delays for P.E.I.-based pot supplier

The onlylicensed cannabis producerbased on P.E.I.says problems with its packaging have led to delays getting products on store shelves.

Recreational cannabis supplier Figr which has commitments to supply pot to P.E.I.and Nova Scotia says nearly half the products it hoped to have in stores by noware still waiting to be packaged at its Charlottetown warehouse.

Edwin Jewell, president and CEO of FigrEast,blames some of the half-dozen packaging suppliers.

"Quite frankly, [packaging suppliers are]letting us down," said Jewell.

"We've been promised product here, packaging materials months ago that's still not here. We've had packaging material come that's not suitable.It's been dirty in some cases, we had to return it."

So you're buying experimental lotsand in some cases we're finding out they're not suitableand then we have to start from scratch again. Edwin Jewell

Jewell said they require packaging that meets a variety of standardsandare getting different packaging products from different sources.

The packaging must be food- or pharmaceutical-grade quality that is tamper proof with a child-resistant cap.

It also must be large enough for all the required labels and uniqueenough to differentiate it from competitors.

He said that finding the right packaging and suppliers sometimes takes a bit of trial and error.

"You don't go buy 100,000 bottles of one size, not knowing for sure they're going to work," Jewell said.

"So you're buying experimental lotsand in some cases we're finding out they're not suitableand then we have to start from scratch again."

The delay ofpackaging materials has causedsome orders to P.E.I. and Nova Scotia to be late.

As a result, some products in those provinces are out of stock.

They arehiring eightmore workers to help with the issue, Jewell said.

When the packaging does arrive, theywill be able to work more shifts in a day so products can be packaged quickly and shipped tostores as soon as possible.

Jewell saidhe expectsto have the orders back on track in the next few weeks.

More P.E.I. news

With files from Steve Bruce