Supply chains can be categorized into upstream, midstream, and downstream components. Canada’s cannabis industry is made up of:
- Growers, cultivators, and producers (upstream)
- Distributors (midstream)
- Retailers (downstream)
To protect consumers, the cannabis supply chain is carefully regulated at every stage, so those working within it need to be aware of stringent rules and standards. The supply chain for cannabis is made up of stages where the product is:
- Grown and cultivated
- Processed: trimmed, dried, cured, extracted
- Tested
- Distributed
- Sold
These stages prepare product for consumption and when each step is carefully tended to, quality and safety is preserved. Read on for more facts about the cannabis supply chain you should know for your career!
Each Step of the Chain Affects Product Quality for AGCO Cannabis Stores
Every part of the supply chain is important to creating a high-quality, safe end product for consumption. Maintaining a well-trained workforce at the processing stage is crucial to making sure these steps are performed properly. For example, trimming cannabis is part of creating a product that contains the right elements. Cultivation efforts can be destroyed by improper trimming jobs.
Trimming ensures that:
- high-quality buds with a higher concentration of trichomes are used
- the plants produce gentler smoke
- a uniform moisture is present after the process of curing
- product is more aesthetically pleasing
Trimming ensures quality and makes sure that buds contain a high concentration of trichomes
The Processing Stage of AGCO Cannabis Can Be Very Time-Sensitive
Processing cannabis requires careful timing to ensure that plants are properly cured. If this is done too quickly, the effects will be lost. Curing offers the benefits of:
- Preserving terpenes for smell and flavour
- Breaking down undesirable minerals and sugars left on the plant
- Enabling longer storage without degradation or mold
When cannabis is cured properly, the efforts that went into cultivating a healthy plant won’t be in vain. If curing is done improperly, terpenes can degrade quickly and the plant can have leftover minerals and sugars on it that cause burning sensations when smoked. For those looking to work in AGCO cannabis retail or distribution instead of cultivation or processing, this step still matters as it is part of the supply chain that gets high-quality product onto your shelves.
Time is an important factor when curing cannabis
The Supply Chain Is Heavily Regulated
Different parts of the supply chain require different licences, depending on the job being done and the scale on which it is occurring:
- Standard Cultivation Licences & Micro-Cultivation Licences: Allow cultivation of plants (any variety) as well as production of seeds and fresh and dried plants. Micro-cultivation licences are for small-scale growers, while standard licences are for large-scale work.
- Standard Processing Licences & Micro-Processing Licences: Allow packaging, labelling, and processing of products to be sold in public retail—ie. Oils. Micro-processing licences apply to small-scale production while standard processing refers to larger scale operations.
- Authorized Provincial and Territorial Sale Licences: Allow the sale of cannabis products within the details set by the unique province or territory. These products have been tested, labelled, and packaged.
You will require a different licence depending on where you want to work in the supply chain
As a new industry, it’s easy to under-anticipate demand and resources. This newness is something that makes careers in AGCO cannabis exciting, as no matter where you decide to work, there’s room for discovery.
Wondering how you can work in an AGCO cannabis store or another part of the industry?
Contact AAPS for more information about our programs.