On March 12th 2025 the Government of Canada made the first set of amendments to its Cannabis Act, just before Prime Minister Trudeau left office, expanding opportunities for the cannabis cottage industry in BC and Canada.
Nadine Furnell & Michelle Cozzuol of the BCCFC Co-op feel good about the changes, acknowledge there’s still a long way to go to break stigmas surrounding the product, but are optimistic for the future of the industry in Northern BC.
As conversations about economic diversification swirl around the country, the local impacts of this industry is being explored not only in terms of agriculture, but also tourism. Furnell and Cozzuol are embarking on an advocacy tour this April, and appreciate the acceptance the Prince George municipality has demonstrated by endorsing past celebrations and discussing business ventures with entrepreneurs.
On diversifying into this industry, Mayor Yu stated, ”The more product produced locally, consumed locally, is always good for the local economy.”
Story also available on frequencynews.ca, 88.7 FM in Prince George—Lheidli T’enneh, and cfur.ca/listen-live Mon-Fri 7:30am & 5pm PST
CFUR Radio Society’s journalist, Ian Gregg is funded by the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) through the Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC).