Category: Blog

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Every pharmaceutical laboratory is a high-value asset. Not only does establishing one require a large capital investment up front and through the long-term for maintenance and upgrades, but in pharma, your lab is the home to commercially valuable research and intellectual property (IP). Thus, you have every incentive to ensure…

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]In Bill C-45, the Canadian federal government inserted provisions allowing for the establishment of ‘micro-cultivators’. Like microbreweries, small or independently-owned businesses can legally grow marijuana as a “craft” product.  The idea behind micro-cultivation is to help boost the supply of marijuana in the market, draw on the more innovative capacities…

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Recently, Toronto medical marijuana dispensaries have seen some recent legal activity that spawned a lot of questions. The legality of running a dispensary, firstly, but also of the steps that a dispensary must take to ensure that they are compliant with current marijuana for medical purposes regulations. The Medical Marijuana…

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Bill C-45 -- i.e., the Cannabis Act -- is in effect and, as a result, the sale, possession, and use of recreational marijuana is  now legal in Canada. It’s a significant change, and it’s being felt across a number of fronts, especially in the economy.  Statistics Canada found that Canadians…

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]In the United Kingdom, breaches in internal access control and other security measures have resulted in public exposure to a spate of harmful and contagious bacteria and viruses, including Shigella, the leading bacterial cause of dysentery. It’s clear that contamination and/or leakage of controlled substances can be the cause of…

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Be it robberies, break-and-enter, or internal theft, it’s evident that clear video surveillance of your marijuana dispensary is a critical factor to both identifying and deterring potential culprits. In fact, at this stage, a networked security camera system is all but essential for cannabis stores -- it’s both a prudent…

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Opening a marijuana dispensary post-Bill C-45 is an exciting prospect. This is a multi-billion-dollar market with burgeoning opportunities. It is crucial, however, to be aware of the risks involved. When applying for a license, be aware of regulatory issues -- particularly in Ontario, as the legislative rollout has been uneven…

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]In 2017, the Canadian pharmaceutical market exported $8.9 billion in goods abroad, hence there is no doubt that there pharmaceutical labs possess costly assets and valuable products that must be secured. But not only is security a must in terms of protecting your assets from robbery, pilfering, sabotage or misappropriation,…

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]In Canada, complying with the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) is required in order to maintain a viable pharmaceutical research, development, production or retail enterprise in the country. Introduced in 1996, the CDSA restricts access to various bacteria, chemicals and other substances to authorized organizations and companies. Failing to…

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]No matter the industry, company size, or location, warehouse theft is a severe problem. Even the US Marines Corps (USMC) is susceptible to warehouse theft (a group of four Marines stole $300,000 in tactical gear between 2016-2018). For businesses, theft causes direct losses and costly inefficiencies, which make competing in…