MMPR Grow op: Small Scale

I was reading a business clipping the other day, and the author did some research and surmised that approximately 20-25 permits to build had been issued on top of the existing 13 LP's. If those numbers are accurate, and assuming the vast majority of those build to spec and are issued final approval, that does not bode very well for anyone who has filed recently and is in application limbo. Once those companies are operational in a year or two, and the current LP's have fully ramped up to capacity, the supply is going to exceed the demand by tenfold unless something changes in a hurry with regards to patient access. If we don't see legalization soon rather than later, a lot of these companies are going to be in big trouble.

I've heard numerous things in this area, but none that were written in an official capacity.
Taking only the numbers I've heard from more than one independent source:

More than 13 LPs - only 13 listed on HC website (http://www.reddit.com/r/SensibleCanada/comments/1souec/updated_list_of_companies_locations_opening_under/)
13 additional LOIs have been given out.
At least 2 of those LOIs were then revoked / rescinded

Again, almost impossible to confirm anything but this information came from 2 sources, 2 provinces and 2 different "contacts" at HC on their end.

It's going to be interesting with potentially 25-35 LP's up and running a year from now and less than 10,000 patients enrolled in the program.

Very, very interesting.
But, you also need to consider that you will have 25-35 LPs fighting for:
1. Legalization
2. Doctor's to write prescriptions
3. New patients to discover and try medical marijuana

Some of those LPs have enough money to influence change.
I think you'll see slow growth and then some sudden surges in change, especially when it comes to things that can be bought like the media.

oddish said:

And yes, HC asks specifically about SOPs all the time now.

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My plan from the get-go was to include the SOP format and some of the critical SOP's with my application, even though they were not required originally. My belief is that if they see well developed SOP's, (including an SOP on how to maintain and modify SOP's), that they are inclined to approve the QA person, barring any other flags.

I am already using SOP's for key portions of my own garden. Being a critical type, I actually enjoy having a step-by-step SOP for some tasks, and they get refined constantly.

Did you know it takes 70+ steps just to transplant a plant, using TLO methods? That doesn't include soil mixing, recycling or pot cleaning...

My plan only needs a few hundred patients to do very well. Concern is warranted by the company that needs 10,000 clients to pay it's bills...

OKLP said:

My plan from the get-go was to include the SOP format and some of the critical SOP's with my application, even though they were not required originally. My belief is that if they see well developed SOP's, (including an SOP on how to maintain and modify SOP's), that they are inclined to approve the QA person, barring any other flags.

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This has been more or less confirmed by wannabes that submitted a QA person who got rejected and then proceeded to re-submit that person with a resume and new SOPs and have them get accepted.

For myself, I will have to have a part time QA. Not to save on costs, but because our company/property is located in a remote area of Northern Ontario. To have a full time QA is impossible bc of where we are. I also included in my application very detailed SOPs and GMPs written by our QA.

HC wanted more information on my QAs qualifications a few months ago. I sent them what they requested and haven't heard anything from them since...

OKLP said:

My plan from the get-go was to include the SOP format and some of the critical SOP's with my application, even though they were not required originally. My belief is that if they see well developed SOP's, (including an SOP on how to maintain and modify SOP's), that they are inclined to approve the QA person, barring any other flags.

I am already using SOP's for key portions of my own garden. Being a critical type, I actually enjoy having a step-by-step SOP for some tasks, and they get refined constantly.

Did you know it takes 70+ steps just to transplant a plant, using TLO methods? That doesn't include soil mixing, recycling or pot cleaning...

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You are bang on....the more (correct) information you submit to HC that displays your (and your QA's) competence level and adherence to the regs, the better. As far as your 70+ step organic transplant goes, most people that approach me are shocked when I tell them that they are looking at anywhere from 200-400 pages of SOP's alone depending on the size, nature and complexity of their operation. They don't realize that every single detail and growing step must be covered off with a detailed set of instructions that leave no room for interpretation and that are based on sound quality assurance principles.

Princess of Pot said:

For myself, I will have to have a part time QA. Not to save on costs, but because our company/property is located in a remote area of Northern Ontario. To have a full time QA is impossible bc of where we are. I also included in my application very detailed SOPs and GMPs written by our QA.

HC wanted more information on my QAs qualifications a few months ago. I sent them what they requested and haven't heard anything from them since...

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3 months and no response?! wow.......

Have you tried contacting them? That is a long time to hear nothing at all from HC.

Security clearances are taking 2+ months right now. My application weighed 9lbs, hundreds of pages of SOP's. An SOP to write SOP's , totally ridiculous. I sent in every thing all at once, let those fuckers at HC figure it out. They didn't request any more info once we submitted.

Itsme.

itsmehigh said:

Security clearances are taking 2+ months right now. My application weighed 9lbs, hundreds of pages of SOP's. An SOP to write SOP's , totally ridiculous. I sent in every thing all at once, let those fuckers at HC figure it out. They didn't request any more info once we submitted.

Itsme.

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Guess who's been approved to build, with inspection date set............this guy. Now the real work begins. Just over 3 months to get approved.
cheers Itsme

That was 6 months ago, what happened?

I have been involved with 4 projects now. Every time I think I have found the right home for me, I get a better offer, or see the true colours of the people I get involved with. My experience has grown exponentially with every application, only the first one was rejected, (zoning) two projects are in build out right now. Just waiting for security clearance's on the fourth and final project. It took some time for me to find the right group to work and stay with.

Itsme.

leaffan said:

Guess who's been approved to build, with inspection date set............this guy. Now the real work begins. Just over 3 months to get approved.
cheers Itsme

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AWESOME!

itsmehigh said:

Security clearances are taking 2+ months right now. My application weighed 9lbs, hundreds of pages of SOP's. An SOP to write SOP's , totally ridiculous. I sent in every thing all at once, let those fuckers at HC figure it out. They didn't request any more info once we submitted.

Itsme.

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Most recently, I've heard 4-6 months just for the security clearances.

Devil Lettuce said:

Most recently, I've heard 4-6 months just for the security clearances.

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My personal theory on this is that the security clearance is 2 phases:
1. RCMP
2. CSIS (RCMP on steroids + terrorism concerns)

Knowing what I know and hearing what I've heard, the RCMP has some good reason to delay the hell out of any applicants.
I think the RCMP has HC by the balls and is forcing their hand in a few areas and possibly the other way around as well, but if the RCMP isn't happy with the current LPs for any reason (hint: they aren't) then they can delay any new LPs or applicants as long as they choose.

At the end of the day, everyone is losing right now. Wannabes are losing time and money, LOI guys are bleeding rent money and other fees, LPs are getting their SOPs thrown in their face and have investigators stopping by for random inspections that they are failing and patients are being kicked out of the only program that supplies for them.

I'm not quite @The Hippy but I'm starting to see how little fun this is

hehehehehehehehe it's all fun and games til oddishes feelings get knocked out

itsmehigh said:

Just waiting for security clearance's on the fourth and final project.
Itsme.

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I was wondering how long you have been waiting for the security clearances. I have heard everything from 2 months to over a year. Have you gotten any indications on how long they actually take?

Has anyone heard of any inspections being done? I know that Health Canada sent out a few "Confirmation email prior to inspection" letters in February, but as far as I can see, none of these actually got their inspections. Does anyone have any news out there.....

lol they are even screwing over LPs......looking good