Leafythings proposes an independent cannabis supply chain

Leafythings had a chance to interact with different vendors at the Smoke Signals Indigenous Cannabis Cup. (CNW Group/Leafythings Canada)

TORONTO — Leafythings, a consulting firm in the cannabis industry and a directory for cannabis products, is proposing a supplementary independent cannabis supply chain in Ontario.

The Leafythings platform is a digital aggregation of independent and regulated brands and retailers across the cannabis retail market. Leafythings uses Google and open-source solutions to compile all of its retailers and brands. Independent cannabis supply chains represent roughly a $3 billion marketplace in Canada, equal to the size of the regulated supply chain. Given the size of this market and the feedback Leafythings and industry leaders have received within the field, the company is suggesting a way to address operational gaps in the demand for products.

“It is disastrous,” said Nima Derak of Leafythings. “Local Canadian cannabis growers and farmers have made up the independent supply chain for 40+ years. They have worked to prove the medical and recreational benefits of cannabis through evidence-based research and development methods. These individuals have worked tirelessly with legislators to advocate for cannabis businesses and consumers, and to facilitate the legalization of consumption and possession of marijuana. They are members of the public, they are Canadians, and they have been neglected and removed from the current process. Canada is to marijuana cultivation as Belgium is to chocolate. Over-regulation and financial barriers coupled with monopolization of the cannabis supply chain in Ontario is causing major distress to independent Canadian growers and retailers and is locking them out from operating successfully.

Last week, The Ontario Cannabis Store has had to halt all deliveries to its retail partners due to an alleged hacking incident that crippled its third party logistics handlers.

“The role of Government should be held to regulating cannabis, not creating an unnecessary role as the distribution middle man. Delivery is a basic function of today’s society. Could you imagine if the liquor store stopped delivering to its retail partners? This doesn’t happen. It never happens within the logistics of our independent distributed food supply chain. It doesn’t happen to tobacco products at the thousands of convenience stores and it doesn’t happen in any other industry in Canada..”

Leafythings says they wish to work together with partners in cannabis at the OCS, to create a better and improved model now that Cannabis has been legalized for over three years. The independent supply chain has expressed substantial interest in working with regulators and contributing to the Canadian economy.

Leafythings says they are proposing an approach for an economic engine like Ontario to help alleviate the burdens of supply chain management and to support the objectives of legalization.