«Cannabis can be to Canada what wine is to France».»

A conference on Canada's economic future provided a foretaste possible new strategies for the country, to become one of the world's leading cannabis companies.

Thanks to the medical cannabis industry which already exists throughout the country, Canada is already one of the most sophisticated producers of cannabis, and possesses the know-how required for widespread commercialization.

Alan Gertner, one of the speakers at the summit initiated by The Economist magazine and manager of the «Tokyo Smoke» dispensary in Toronto, was able to put a question to the chief guest, Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. According to Gertner, the « cannabis could be to Canada what wine is to France« The company's founder and CEO, Dr. John H. K. K., spoke of the potential economic boost that the legalization of cannabis would bring, and the quality of the work already being done in the Canadian medical industry.

In response, Justin Trudeau offered a different vision of legalization, saying he wanted to focus on two principles centered on reducing risks rather than increasing benefits: minimizing access to cannabis for minors, and reducing the criminal activity surrounding the illegal cannabis trade.

«I have no doubt that Canadian entrepreneurs will be innovative in how they create a positive economy around the legalization and control of marijuana, but our goal is to protect our youngest and keep our streets safe,» he concluded.

In January, Justin Trudeau's government announced the future legalizing cannabis in Canada.

«We already sell more cannabis in Canada than candy.»

Alan Gertner in his dispensary

According to Alan Gertner, Canada could become the laboratory for all the world's cannabic research: an open-air hub of innovation, with thousands of legal testers and a market estimated at several billion dollars.

«For the first time, a new industry is being built on existing consumers ».

Alan Gertner takes a positive view of the national legalization of pot. As a good entrepreneur, his eyes are already riveted on what's to come.

The manager wishes to develop his brand image legally in Canada and establish his reputation and experience in the American states, which will undoubtedly legalize cannabis in the coming years. He also wants to focus his marketing on the smoker's lifestyle, in the same way as alcohol brands.

The Trudeau government has declared that full legalization could take place in the spring of 2017. Meanwhile, Canadian authorities are facing a major problem. Cannabis dispensaries are proliferating in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

Not all of them are authorized to sell cannabis, but they're hoping to hold out until 2017 to carve out a place in the sun. The Canadian authorities have therefore launched a veritable hunt for false dispensaries in the metropolises. Some mayors, opposed to legalization, are calling the situation «out of control».

Théo Caillart