Yellowknife officially has its own locally-grown strain of commercial cannabis: Gas Banana.

On Dec. 1, ReLeaf NT launched the product, which is delivered by Boreal Cultivation.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is the first day that the product will be available in stores, making it a significant event for the team,SA国际影视传媒� said Boreal Cultivation co-owner Jordan Harker, who noted that the product is sold to the NWT Liquor and Cannabis Commission, which distributes it to local authorized retailers.

Gas Banana went on sale in Ontario and British Columbia months ago and demand has outstripped supply, according to Harker, adding that his company has set aside some inventory for the NWT regardless.

SA国际影视传媒淥bviously this is where weSA国际影视传媒檙e from, and weSA国际影视传媒檇 like some of the flower to be available locally,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Despite the popularity of the product, there are challenges to growing it in the NWT, such as high utility costs, high labour costs and shipping logistics, Harker explained.

He credited the local government for providing significant business support. The federal government is responsible for licensing, and there are many regulations that need to be followed.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e selling a controlled substance, which I get, but those are definitely the challenges SA国际影视传媒� a lot of red tape,SA国际影视传媒� Harker added.

It takes 13 to 14 weeks for Gas Banana to grow sufficiently and then be cut and packaged for store shelves. The facility, located in the Kam Lake area, houses about 500 plants currently. But expansion is on the agenda to meet demand.

SA国际影视传媒淲e could probably quadruple our production right now and still sell,SA国际影视传媒� said Harker.

He also addressed the stigma associated with cannabis because it was illegal until Bill-C45 was passed in 2018, meaning recreational possession was no longer a crime. He shared his personal journey with cannabis, from recreational use to medicinal therapy. He believes that the drug can be used for many things and hopes more people will recognize its benefits.

Luke Wood, owner of ReLeaf NT, said HarkerSA国际影视传媒檚 making inroads.

SA国际影视传媒淲hatSA国际影视传媒檚 really good about him is heSA国际影视传媒檚 local,SA国际影视传媒� said Wood. SA国际影视传媒淚f people come in, they ask for local cannabis, and this is his first (strain)SA国际影视传媒� and I guess weSA国际影视传媒檒l see what the feedback is but on paper, it looks fantastic.SA国际影视传媒�