Canada flower growers turn to weed ahead of pot legalization

Some Canadian flower growers are turning to weed, with the country's plan to legalize marijuana for recreational use expected to spur a spike in legal sales of the drug.

While medical marijuana is already legal in Canada, the Liberal government said in April it will introduce a law in 2017 to support expanded legalization, a policy already backed by several U.S. states.

Canadian legal marijuana sales may climb to C$4.6 billion ($3.44 billion) by 2019 from just C$125 million, according to PI Financial.

The potential demand spurred Jeannette VanderMarel and Scott Skinner, experienced in growing lavender, to plant their first marijuana crop in September.

The slogan on their Hamilton, Ontario farm, called The Green Organic Dutchman, is "We're Farmers not Pharma."

"There might have been a perception that it's huge corporate entities entering this market. We are truly a mom and pop farm," VanderMarel said.

Even so, Dutchman aims to...

e-mail icon Facebook icon Twitter icon LinkedIn icon Reddit icon
Rate this article: 
Region: 

This marijuana news is brought to you by 420 Intel. For the latest breaking cannabis industry news, subscribe to the 420 Intel newsletter. If you'd like to promote your product or service in this area after every article, contact us.