Exploring Progressive Solutions: Innovating within the Regional Cannabis Sector

Prior to cannabis legalization the regional cannabis industry in the Central Kootenay Boundary Region was flourishing with an estimated 2,500 small grey-market producers who were an integral part of the socioeconomic fabric. Legalization offered the potential to transition the regional cannabis economy from an illicit to a legal sector, bringing with it potential for economic development. However, due to uncertainty and volatility the regional cannabis economy has dramatically changed bringing concern over losing unique Kootenay genetics, expertise, knowledge, and resources if a viable path forward cannot be found. The purpose of this project is to co-create, pilot, and evaluate innovative opportunities for the rural cannabis sector in the Central Kootenay Boundary using the smart specialization framework. The Mitacs student interns will be critical to the delivery and implementation of the pilot projects; they will support ongoing outreach with project stakeholders, administer various surveys for feedback, support the organization of sub-committees for each pilot, help create validated methods to assess the pilots, and summarize and export findings to other jurisdictions and sectors. These activities will support the regional cannabis sector, provide work-integrated learning experiences, and supply data for evidence based-decision making, which is essential for the partner organization, KAST, to help move the sector forward.

Faculty Supervisor:

Tracey Harvey;Sarah-Patricia Breen

Student:

Partner:

Kootenay Association For Science and Technology

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Selkirk College

Program: