N.B. Cities Call On Government To Halt Sale Process For Cannabis NB
MIRAMICHI – A letter addressed to Premier Higgs signed by Adam Lordon, Chair of the Cities of New Brunswick Association and Mayor of Miramichi, calls on the province to delay their decision regarding the potential privatization of Cannabis NB.
This comes on the heels of a letter sent by First Nations and cannabis businesses across the province to the Higgs government to halt their decision.
“As the representatives of New Brunswick’s urban centres, we strongly believe there are a number of considerations that must be fully explored through stakeholder and community engagement,” wrote Lordon in the letter.
The letter argues that the main reasons for the government’s initial decision to explore privatization are no longer relevant due to the rise in product selection, resolved supply shortages, and higher profits with financial sustainability anticipated.
“We strongly urge your government to pause its decision until such time as industry and communities have had a chance to present their ideas and concerns. In the meantime, we encourage you to continue to allow Cannabis NB to solidify its financial sustainability and growth while working with New Brunswick cannabis companies to grow this sector and our economy,” the letter states.
In a separate letter, the St. Stephen Mayor Allan MacEachern and Future St. Stephen President Kendall Kadatz also called on the government to cease making a decision on Cannabis N.B.’s sale.
“We urge your government to pause privatization talks and allow Cannabis NB further runway to establish itself as a viable public corporation and one that works with industry and consumers in New Brunswick on the overall growth of the sector,” they wrote.
St. Stephen is home to Stewart Farms and Tidal Health, both organizations in the cannabis industry that the letter says have growth opportunities, employment, and product innovation.
All groups worry that the move to privatization would result in exactly what sparked the government’s first inquiry into the sale of Cannabis NB: reduce product offerings, decrease sales, lower profits, and decrease employment in the sector. They also fear local production would be shuttered.
“In other jurisdictions, we have seen a material impact on local producers when large-scale private producers become responsible for retail networks,” wrote Lordon. “Their influence and ability to limit choice and listings – particularly by local producers – could have a dramatic impact on the future sustainability of our growing cannabis production sector.”
Liam Floyd is a reporter for Huddle. Send him story suggestions: [email protected].