Cannabis acceptance will increase with rollout of new products

Published in the Toronto Sun - June 24, 2019

Health Canada recently released new regulations which set the stage for the next wave of cannabis legalization.

Starting late this year, regulations will permit various new forms for the consumption of cannabis such as edibles, drinkables, topicals, and vape pens, moving the industry towards more consumer-packaged goods and away from our current limited legal offerings.

I firmly believe that this is key to reducing the stigma around cannabis and encouraging a broader acceptance of the drug.

Canadians will be forced to check their pre-conceived notions of a cannabis consumer when their loved ones choose a skin cream with cannabinoids in it for pain relief rather than a similar brand without them. Opinions change when a person can consume cannabis in a format that they already know how to use (creams, pills, drinks, food), from brands they already know and trust, which result in a consistent, desired effect.

For the most part, everyone agrees that the idea of moving to these new formats and away from smoking is a good move.

Health Canada has long advocated smoking cessation for tobacco products, and both medical and adult-use cannabis consumers have advocated for different and better cannabis products.

But that is where the agreements end.

Advocates in the cannabis space are clear that the limits on cannabinoid content amounts allowed per package are woefully low leading to increased costs to consumers as well as a larger environmental footprint due to increased packaging.

Health Canada believes it is taking a prudent approach while adopting the cannabis mantra of start low and go slow.

This division between the cannabis industry and Health Canada is not a surprise to any person or company observing the government’s approach to the product.

It is clear that Health Canada is taking what they believe to be a public health approach while the cannabis industry is taking more or a medical patient and/or adult-use consumer approach.

While both positions are valid, it is important to remember the legalization promise has its roots in Liberal campaign documents where the promise was geared at ridding Canada of black-market products which are still readily available in Canada. In other words, consumer choices still rule the day and that choice is not necessarily the legal path.

Cannabis legalization got a huge boost in the last federal campaign.

The industry is accustomed to working with policy makers and may even relish the watershed policy moves that campaigns make possible.

With these new regulations coming mere days from the next federal election in October, some see more such watershed moments on the horizon.

Canada's Head Start is Shrinking

Canada embarked on a new journey in 2018 with the legalization of cannabis for adult use. In doing so, our country is truly a global leader in becoming the first G7 country in the world to make this significant policy shift and ending almost 100 years of prohibition.

There is no question Canada and its hundreds of licensed producers of cannabis, ancillary products, and entrepreneurs, trailblazers and visionaries have a running head start in the global movement toward the reform of policy around medical and recreational cannabis.

Regrettably, however, 2019 could be the year that Canada’s impressive and bold lead will begin to shrink. Without innovative policy solutions in the next 12 months, Canada will lose its lead and begin to fall behind other jurisdictions to the south and across oceans.

The casual observer might question my position. Some will rightfully point to Canada as the only fully legal country on the national level for medical and recreational products. Others will use the global financial hub of cannabis in Toronto and the status of Vancouver as a cultural home of cannabis as evidence in their arguments. But this does not begin to tell the full story of the race.

Canadians have watched with bemusement at the issues that have cropped up as legalization of cannabis rolled out in several U.S. states: federal prohibitions on the use of the banking system; the inability to transport products across state lines; and the patchwork of rules. This has led many to remain confident that Canada can maintain its collective head start. However, what many miss is the recently passed U.S. Farm Bill, which will allow CBD derived from hemp to be treated like an agricultural commodity, not a banned substance. This means that producers south of the border will have cannabinoid-infused products on the shelves of major U.S. retailers in the first quarter of this year. 

This move may sound minor – it is only CBD – but it does open the door at the federal level in the United States to consumer-packaged goods, cosmetics, skin creams, pain reliever topicals, and drinkables to exist on the shelves of major retailers. It allows large household-name brands and others to bring cannabinoid products to the shelves of retailers long before fully legal companies in Canada can do the same and, even then, only on the shelves of cannabis stores, not major retailers. 

As an example, Harvest One’s natural sleep aid – Dream Water – currently contains no cannabinoids, but our plan has always been to have a CBD formulation. As a result of the recent changes in the U.S., we now see that product being first made available south of the border rather than in our home country (despite the current formulation now being available in 30,000 stores across North America). Those supply chains and networks will be built south of the border much sooner than here in Canada. 

States that allow cannabis products with THC and other active ingredients are gaining on us as well. Take a look at California, with its population and economy roughly the size of Canada’s: in that state consumer packaged goods already rule the day, allowing large companies there to sell a variety of products and, more importantly, to understand their consumers, compile market data, and explore different forms that speak to their markets. This places them well ahead of Canada when it comes to understanding who buys which products, where, how often, and other key market indicators. Canada will not begin to do the same thing until the end of 2019 at the earliest and even then, with significant restrictions on advertising, packaging, and branding. 

Other Canadian cannabis companies see what we see as well. They are investing in jurisdictions across the globe, and becoming nimbler in product development, cultivation techniques, and even government advocacy internationally to push for liberal regulatory environments. Some have even become listed on American exchanges – further debunking the myth that the U.S. is closed to cannabis.

Despite all of this, we are still the envy of the cannabis world. Significant global brands are investing in our companies for our expertise and knowledge. Canadian companies are exporting knowledge and experience around the globe. But there is work to do. We as an industry have to convince the Canadian population that we can safely and responsibly produce these products, educate consumers on the safe consumption of it, and reduce the “stoner” stigma. If we can do that, then perhaps policymakers will see less risk in developing a more permissive policy regime to help keep our lead in this race.

The starting gun has been fired, and Canada is into the first turn well ahead of others just leaving the blocks. But the drum of running feet is getting louder and closer. 

Will Stewart is a senior vice-president of Harvest One, a global cannabis company that develops and provides innovative lifestyle and wellness products to consumers and patients in regulated markets around the world.


Harvest One adds industry expert Will Stewart to Senior Leadership Team

TSXV – HVT

VANCOUVER, Oct. 23, 2018 /CNW/ - Harvest One Cannabis Inc. (TSXV:HVT) ("Harvest One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce Will Stewart has joined the Company as Senior Vice President, Corporate and Public Affairs.   Mr. Stewart will add tremendous value to Harvest One's leadership team as the Company positions itself to become a trusted global leader in innovative lifestyle and wellness solutions that enhance peoples' lives.

Mr. Stewart, a well-known Canadian cannabis executive, insider and former Harvest One Board member, is a leading influencer in cannabis and worked for years in political and corporate circles pushing for legalization and reducing stigma. He was named a Top 100 Lobbyist in Canada for seven consecutive years and received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for contributions to Canadian public policy. In addition, Mr. Stewart has consulted to more than a dozen cannabis companies and was most recently Vice President at another vertically integrated cannabis company.

"Harvest One is pleased to have Will back on the team," said Grant Froese, CEO of Harvest One. "As a former Director, Will's already very familiar with the Company and industry opportunities. His reputation and experience in the cannabis industry is unquestionable as evidenced by designations including 'Top 30 Cannabis Influencer' and his nomination for 'Cannabis Influencer of the Year'. He's indeed a strong addition to Harvest One where we put people and leadership at the heart of our strategy."

"I could not be happier to be back working with the first-in-class Harvest One team," said Mr. Stewart.  "There are only great times ahead for Harvest One with its exceptional grow facilities under United Greeneries, our Satipharm product in the European Union, our consumer cannabis brand Royal High, and the exceptional Dream Water natural sleep product which is available in 30,000 international retail locations and growing."

Appointment to the Advisory Board of Lift

Press release announcing my membership on the Lift Advisory Board

June 16, 2017 12:22 ET

Lift Appoints Leading Public Affairs Strategist to Advisory Board; Engages Provinces With Education Mandate

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - June 16, 2017) - Lift Co. Ltd. ("Lift", or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of leading strategist Will Stewart to the Company's advisory board.

"I am very pleased that Will has decided to join our advisory board," says Matei Olaru, CEO of Lift. "With almost 20 years' experience in public affairs across Canada and beyond, Will brings a unique perspective to the Company at a pivotal time in the industry," he added.

Over the span of his career, Stewart has served as chief of staff to a cabinet minister and strategic advisor to a trade association. He is a regular commentator on public affairs, appearing on TV, radio and in print. Stewart has been awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canadian public policy and has been named a top lobbyist in Canada for seven consecutive years. Will is currently a managing principal at Navigator and is joining Lift after being active in the cannabis industry since its formative years.

"I am incredibly proud and grateful to Matei and the entire team at Lift for asking me to join the advisory board. Every person I have met at the company is driven by that same passion to help elevate the cannabis industry through trusted information and education," Stewart said. "It's really exciting to be working in this capacity with Lift as they solidify their position as leaders in Canada for this sector," he added.

Education Mandate

The Company is also pleased to announce it has begun the process of engaging provinces and territories for the development of a front-line sales agent training and certification program. "Provinces want to ensure that retail staff are trained to provide standardized messaging in order to cultivate a responsible and informed consumer," said Olaru. "We're excited for Will to help steer this project."

Lift will leverage information from its robust data set, clinic chain and industry network to create custom self-guided certification programs for front-line staff in provinces starting to develop a retail distribution model for cannabis.

About Lift

Lift (lift.co) is Canada's leading cannabis media and technology platform. Through its cross-national events, the industry's leading publications, and lift.co -- the largest database of medical cannabis products, reviews and patients in Canada -- Lift is the voice of Canada's cannabis industry.

Harvest One Board Of Directors Appointment

The press release which announced me as a member of the Board of Directors

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – May 24, 2017) – Harvest One Cannabis Inc. (TSXV: HVST) (OTC: HRVOF) (“Harvest One” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that Mr. Will Stewart has joined its board of directors (the “Board”). Mr. Stewart will replace Ms. Anne Chopra on the Board, who has resigned to focus her efforts on other ventures. The Board thanks Ms. Chopra for her contributions to the Company. Prior to his appointment to the Board, Mr. Stewart had served on the advisory board of the Company.

As a Managing Principal at Navigator Inc., a leading Canadian public strategy and communications firm, Mr. Stewart has earned the trust and respect of leaders in corporations, government and not-for-profit organizations for his expertise as a senior strategic public affairs advisor. Mr. Stewart has demonstrated expertise in qualitative research, media relations, campaign planning and reputation management and recovery. He provides strategic planning, research and communications counsel to clients in a diverse variety of sectors, including aviation, energy, health care and the emerging Canadian cannabis environment. Mr. Stewart has served as Chief of Staff in several portfolios to Ontario cabinet ministers responsible for energy and social services, as well as the Government Whip and House Leader. As a respected media commentator on politics, public policy and social media, Mr. Stewart regularly appears on television, radio and print as a strategist. He has also been honoured to be chosen by the Hill Times as a member of its Top 100 Lobbyists in Canada for six consecutive years and was awarded the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canadian public policy.

About Harvest One

Harvest One Cannabis Inc. (HVST) controls operations across the entire cannabis value chain through three business units, with Harvest One serving as the umbrella company over horticultural arm United Greeneries and medical arm Satipharm AG. Each business is strategically located in favourable jurisdictions with supportive regulatory frameworks in place. United Greeneries has received a Canadian medicinal cannabis cultivation license, making Harvest One one of only a few companies globally with the capacity to commercially cultivate cannabis in a federally regulated environment.

Original press release: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/harvest-one-announces-appointment-of-will-stewart-to-board-of-directors-tsx-venture-hvst-2218146.htm