Canada to allow outdoor cannabis cultivation for licensed growers

Licensed cannabis growers will be allowed to grow cannabis outdoors. Originally, the government had restricted cultivation to indoor facilities, in a strictly controlled environment where every interaction is recorded on video. This strictness was intended to ensure that the cannabis remains free of mold and other contaminants, as well as to help prevent crop theft.

However, the Canadian government reversed its position on this issue to allow new companies to quickly produce their first crop.

«Our decision to allow outdoor cultivation under strict regulations is the result of our consultations and will help create a diverse and competitive legal cannabis industry, with the ultimate goal of replacing the illegal market.» said Thierry Bélair, spokesperson for the Canadian Ministry of Health.

The government's decision has drawn criticism from many cannabis companies that have invested billions in indoor cultivation facilities in accordance with Canada's proposed cannabis legalization bill. Canopy Growth and Aurora, voiced by Cannabis Canada Council, a lobby group representing the leading cannabis producers, believed that «large-scale commercial outdoor cultivation should be banned.».

The Council had also asked the Canadian Senate to amend the legalization bill to ban outdoor cultivation, arguing that potted plants grown outdoors could easily be stolen and diverted to the black market. An amendment had been introduced in the Senate but did not pass through Parliament.