MJBizMag March 2023 - 12

FIVE QUESTIONS with All Nations
Indigenous Industry
Canadian cannabis producer All Nations eyes global expansion
By Chris Casacchia
A
n Indigenous-owned
and -operated cannabis
producer in British Columbia
has its sights set on domestic and
international expansion.
In an interview with MJBizDaily,
All Nations executives said one
of their big advantages is the
company's story.
" We're giving people (consumers)
all of the things they look for
when they want to buy into something:
It's a good product, has a
good story, and consumers are
ethically paying into something
they know is going to help the
economy and development, " said
Stacey Duffy, director of retail at
All Nations.
CEO Darwin Douglas added,
" We've focused on the production
of quality cannabis. That's our
foundation. That's our bedrock, to
grow premium and ultra-premium
cannabis.
" That's the sweet spot, to be
successful in business and also
support positive social change in
the communities where we work. "
All Nations, which is majorityowned
by the Shxwhá:y Village
Indigenous community near the city
of Chilliwack, is one of a handful
of licensed producers located on a
reserve in Canada.
" Connecting people with
Indigenous culture through
our cannabis and products is a
competitive advantage, " Douglas
said.
" We're also about connections,
telling our story and the stories of
Indigenous people, " he added.
12 March 2023 | MJBizMagazine
Darwin
Douglas
Stacey
Duffy
Shxwhá:y Village and the
We're starting to find that the
province recently entered a
government-to-government
agreement to support cannabisrelated
economic development
under Section 119 of B.C.'s Cannabis
Control and Licensing Act.
Douglas said the agreement
allows the company to own eight
stores and supply up to half the
products on the shelves.
Soon, he wants to bring his
Indigenous brand to the rest of the
world.
" There's not a lot of Indigenous
businesses that are involved in
international trade. So, it's new
ground for us, and we're happy to
be part of that work, " he said.
MJBizDaily spoke with Douglas
and Duffy about the company's
strategy, hurdles and opportunities.
What trends are you seeing in
the Canadian industry?
Stacey Duffy: We're finding a lot of
people are wanting to learn more
about the brands and products
they're consuming.
consumer is coming in with a little
bit more of a sophisticated concept
of what they want.
Years ago, it was, " Give me the
cheapest ounce. "
Now, we're seeing more people
who are wanting better quality and
want to know where products are
coming from.
One of the trends we're seeing is
people wanting to understand more
of who's producing their product.
Who's behind it? Is it hang-dried,
hand-trimmed?
One of the things we're seeing
is that local " BC bud " is the bestmoving
product on our shelves.
How do international cannabis
markets play into your
strategy?
Darwin Douglas: We want to
produce (medical) cannabis here on
Indigenous lands and export it to
countries around the world.
Right now, we're in discussions
with countries with (federally
regulated) medical markets.
MJBizMag March 2023

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