by Timothy Schafer
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Nelson Daily
A provincial pilot project is being seeded to build a cannabis tourism trail in B.C. with legs in each of its southern corners.
Selkirk Innovates and the Craft Cannabis Association of B.C. (CCABC) have submitted an application for funding B次元官网网址� under the REDIP Economic Diversification stream B次元官网网址� to complete the project to focus cannabis tourism on two key and historical areas: the Kootenays and the Cowichan Valley.
Entitled Building the B.C. Cannabis Trail, the goal of the pilot project is to build the foundation for a cannabis tourism trail in the two regions, as modelled after the successful B.C. Ale Trail, that can then be expanded to other regions of B.C.
B次元官网网址淕iven the relatively new legal cannabis economy in B.C. and the ongoing intricacies surrounding cannabis marketing and branding policies, the Cowichan Valley and Kootenay regions have not yet formalized cannabis tourism,B次元官网网址� wrote Tracey Harvey and Sarah Campbell of Selkirk Innovates in a letter outlining the project.
B次元官网网址淣evertheless, the rich culture, historical significance, and ongoing evolution of regional cannabis economies in these regions position them as ideal candidates for an interregional cannabis tourism pilot project: Building the BC Cannabis Trail.B次元官网网址�
For decades before the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018, the Kootenay region and the Cowichan Valley of B.C. have been home to cannabis sectors.
The B次元官网网址渋ntegral cannabis culture and economy in these regions have created rich historical ties to cannabis,B次元官网网址� noted Harvey in her letter.
Right now there are around 30 legal cannabis businesses B次元官网网址� including producers, processors, nurseries, laboratories, and retail outlets B次元官网网址� in the two regions, giving each area enough B次元官网网址渆nduring cannabis clusters.B次元官网网址�
Legalization has also created the climate for economic diversification and tourism development, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as British travellers, Germans, Americans and non-B.C. residents are increasingly travelling to the province, Campbell wrote.
B次元官网网址淐annabis tourism is viewed as a catalyst for economic recovery in CanadaB次元官网网址檚 tourism sector (Canadian Cannabis Tourism Alliance n.d.) and is particularly important to help rebuild negatively affected economies after the devastating 2023 wildfire season (Destination BC 2023a) and recent downturn in the forestry industry,B次元官网网址� she stated.
Cannabis tourism risks
There are many perceived risks associated with establishing cannabis tourism, including how cannabis is perceived and treated across all levels of government, through policies and by various organizations.
As well, on the ground level there is the varied response and perception of community residents as cannabis tourism is introduced, and how the industry might be received as the sales pitch is being made.
The rural nature of the industry could also be considered a risk factor.
B次元官网网址淪ufficient digital access is necessary to improve the quality and safety of tourist experiences,B次元官网网址� the report, Exploring Opportunities for Cannabis Tourism in the Kootenay Rockies released earlier this year by Selkirk Innovates and Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, noted. B次元官网网址淢any farms are in remote locations creating barriers of entry for cannabis tourism operators due to connectivity challenges.B次元官网网址�
If the industry proves to be successful, it could spawn an amenity migration driven by a B次元官网网址済reen rush,B次元官网网址� further complicating housing issues in many Kootenay communities, including availability and affordability due to an influx of people.
On a global scale, indoor cannabis cultivation and the tourism industry both contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, B次元官网网址減osing a threat to environmentally sustainable economic development,B次元官网网址� the report explained.
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