Dabbling in Canadian cannabis regulations requires foresight and courage. Recently, Dabble Cannabis Co. became Vancouver Island’s first Licensed Producer (LP) to successfully execute the new direct delivery service by creatively offering “farmgate” sales, despite BC not yet rolling out this program officially. Not once but twice, they sold out back-to-back lots providing direct delivery sales to select BC retailers. When I heard of the solid distribution maneuvers that CEO, Alannah Davis recently navigated, I had to link up with the Vancouver Island native.
Allanah Davis, CEO of Dabble Cannabis Co.
Dabble Cannabis Co.’s First Product Was Rejected
Initially, Dabble Cannabis Co.’s first product was rejected by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB). The BCLDB is responsible for cannabis deliveries throughout the province and earns a 15% cut on all direct and regular distribution. Allanah was informed that the category size was too small to be sold in BC Cannabis Stores or online.
Processing 2500kg Of Fresh Frozen Flower Into Concentrates
After spending months processing 2,500kg of fresh frozen into bubble hash, and live hash rosin; the Davis’ knew all their hard work had laid tracks to offer a dynamic direct delivery service. Within regulation, the BCLDB buyers’ gatekeeping could not limit sale of product to private retailers. When the BCLDB went on strike in August, Doug, Alannah, and Brody, strategically dabbled outside of the regulation box.
“We grew and harvested our crop here at Dabble Cannabis Co. then brought it to another local facility, Alternabis Farms, where we did our own processing. When the lot was packaged and ready for distribution, we worked with our sales LP, Western Extraction, to bring the product to ready for sale to retailers.” – Alannah Davis, CEO, Dabble Cannabis Co.
Direct Delivery Service Has Gained Popularity
Purple God Hash Rosin Image via @dabblecannabis
Direct delivery service has gained popularity within provincial industries like Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Whereas local brand collaborations, like Toba Rolling Syndicate, continue to extract flaws from evolving regulation models. The motive is to keep a steady supply of product between local growers and retailers.
During the BC strike, the provincial distribution authority closed their warehouse leaving no supply for the demand. For some, it was an absolute disruption to the supply chain. However, with direct delivery, it ended up being an opportunity for Alannah to plant her family’s legacy into the history books.
Disruption To Supply Chain Distribution
Disruption to supply chain distribution has been a topic in more than one episode of the Canadian Cannabis Podcast. Industry guests from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario have shared common dialogue throughout Respect My Region’s 2022 North American Weed Tour.
When I asked Alannah if she was comfortable breaking the story with #decolonizecannabis subscribers she stated: “As a Métis woman operating a cannabis business in the unceded territory of the Coast Salish, I’m excited about digital marketing. We are limited in how we can promote our business and it shows our work over here is being done.”
She continued, “I checked out RMR. Our farm has hosted many events, even a music festival. We’re on our way to see our entire farm flourish into a “weedery;” the ultimate cannabis destination to learn about and enjoy cannabis and it would be totally rad to guest appear with you.”
Stay tuned for our full interview with Alannah. In the meantime, the Canadian Cannabis Podcast livestreams every Sunday around 4:20PM CST. For notifications on when we go live, subscribe to the Respect My Region YouTube channel.