TARGETED INDIVIDUALS : All individuals holding a licence under the Cannabis Act or the Industrial Hemp Regulations related to the products concerned
BACKGROUND – COORDINATION AND DEVELOPMENT CHAMBER FOR HEMP AND CANNABIS PRODUCTS
The industrial hemp and cannabis industry includes more than 200 businesses and generates 8,000 jobs. In 2024, it contributed $1.36 billion to Québec’s GDP, including $450 million in net public revenues[i]. With approximately $337 million in farm cash receipts, this production ranks fifth in Québec, behind grain corn, soybeans, maple products and field vegetables.
Despite its economic weight, the sector aims to improve product quality, optimize logistics, and overcome challenges in accessing government funding linked to regulatory constraints. To support its growth and better coordinate stakeholders, the creation of a Coordination and Development Chamber is being proposed as a strategic lever.
WHAT IS A COORDINATION AND DEVELOPMENT CHAMBER?
A Coordination and Development Chamber (CDC/CCD) is a legal entity established and governed under the Loi sur la mise en marché des produits agricoles, alimentaires et de la pêche. It creates a framework for collaboration between agricultural producers and sector partners (e.g., processors and distributors) by pooling financial resources to support collective initiatives aimed at promoting, improving, and coordinating the production and marketing of an agricultural or food product.
To create one, an association must first apply for accreditation with the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec (RMAAQ) to be recognized as the representative of the individuals concerned by the Chamber and, where applicable, to collect contributions. An official application for the creation of the Chamber is then submitted. It is therefore essential, from the outset, to clearly define the targeted product as well as the group concerned by the Chamber.
In the present case, it is suggested that the Chamber cover any product derived from Cannabis sativa L. All individuals holding a licence under the Cannabis Act or the Industrial Hemp Regulations related to the products concerned would be included. Note that the Chamber for Industrial Hemp and Cannabis Products could be financed voluntarily by its members, although it is possible to require mandatory contributions from all individuals covered by the accreditation.
WHY A COORDINATION CHAMBER FOR THE HEMP AND CANNABIS INDUSTRY?
Given that the industry is largely composed of diverse small and medium-sized enterprises, along with a limited number of distributors, this coordination mechanism will help improve product distribution logistics, to the benefit of the entire value chain.
In a market slowdown following the rapid growth observed after cannabis legalization in Québec, the diversification of products derived from Cannabis sativa L. appears essential to seize development opportunities within Québec and beyond. To ensure alignment with different market needs, collective reflection on the establishment of quality standards will be necessary.
Accordingly, the three main objectives of the Coordination and Development Chamber for Industrial Hemp and Cannabis Products will be:
The Chamber will be composed of members of the Association québécoise de l’industrie du chanvre et du cannabis (AQIC), as well as partners including laboratories, processors, packagers, and distributors. Additional research and distribution partners may also join the Chamber. The involvement of the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) is also being considered.
EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL CHAMBERS
The first Coordination and Development Chamber was created in 2004 in the strawberry and raspberry sector. This collaborative mechanism enabled Québec to become a Canadian leader in quality production through research and innovation, increasing its share of national production by 10 percentage points and surpassing Ontario and British Columbia. The Les fraîches du Québec brand illustrates this success. The model later inspired vegetable growers, who obtained RMAAQ authorization in 2022 to establish their own Chamber and structure research on field vegetables.
NEXT STEPS
Since 2019, AQIC has been working to develop the industrial hemp and cannabis industry in a constructive and responsible manner. Recognized by its members and by industry stakeholders as a credible and solutions-oriented organization with the capacity to address strategic industry needs, AQIC naturally positions itself as the ideal body to lead the creation of the Chamber.
To move forward, AQIC plans to submit an accreditation application to the RMAAQ to be recognized as the official representative of the targeted group. It will then file an official application with the RMAAQ to establish the Coordination and Development Chamber for Industrial Hemp and Cannabis Products and, if applicable, adopt a regulation on contributions.
AQIC must demonstrate to the RMAAQ that it has the support of those individuals covered by the accreditation—namely all individuals holding a licence under the Cannabis Act or the Industrial Hemp Regulations related to the products concerned. It is therefore important to confirm your support for AQIC’s accreditation request toward the creation of the Chamber by participating in the information session and voting in favour of this initiative.
[i] Industry Economic Analysis: Hemp and Cannabis
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