Canada's First Micro-Cultivator Crop Ready For Retail

Shelter Craft Collective brings Saskatchewan farmer to market

VICTORIA, March 9, 2020 /CNW/ - Shelter Craft Collective, a division of  1193269 BC Ltd., doing business as Shelter Cannabis ("Shelter") is proud to announce that North 40 Cannabis (North 40) was made available to retailers in Saskatchewan today.

North 40 is Canada's first licensed micro-cultivator and processor. Based in Saskatchewan, the small family run grow with over thirty years of cultivation experience will be bringing their first harvest to market under Shelter's house brand, Farmstead.

"We are extremely pleased to be able to team up with Shelter to get our products out to consumers," said Gord Nichol of North 40.  "It's been a long time coming and we couldn't be happier that our home province, Saskatchewan, will be first in line to have access to our hand crafted, small batch cannabis."

Nichol went on to say he believes this is the start of a turning point in the cannabis industry where quality will challenge the big companies for consumers hearts and minds. "We trust our products will meet, and hopefully exceed expectations."

Processed in Shelter's Agro-Greens facility, this small-batch, hand-trimmed and non-irradiated craft cannabis is the first wave of what many expect to be a coming craft revolution in Canada's cannabis industry. "A lot of us lobbied for the inclusion of this class of license and worked hard behind the scenes to make this happen," said Jamie Shaw, Director of Communications and Culture for Shelter. "We are proud to be bringing cannabis grown and processed in Saskatchewan to Saskatchewan consumers, and we hope other provinces look to what Saskatchewan is getting right."

Kiaro is one of the Saskatchewan retailers that have anxiously been awaiting craft product. "We are excited to have the opportunity to be working with the amazing teams at Shelter Brands and North 40 to feature their locally grown, small batch, hand crafted cannabis in our Saskatchewan retail stores," said Andrew Gordon, Sr Vice-President of Retail Operations and Community at Kiaro. "This is an important step forward in realizing the dreams and aspirations of legalization for producers, retailers and consumers alike; and we are committed to ensuring that small scale, craft producers have an opportunity to thrive in the regulated market." 

Farmstead branded Blue Cheese and Green Cush have both been made available to retailers in dried flower (1g and 3.5g formats), Single Prerolls (0.7g and 1g) and Preroll packs (3x0.3g, and 4x0.5g).

About Shelter

Shelter is a Canadian quality and innovation leader in processing, packaging and branding of cannabis products. Shelter Brands is their consumer-focused brand and packaging development division, offering quality cannabis products under its house brand Farmstead, and pre-rolls and vape pens under brand names such as Wildlife, Journey, Botany and Wayfarer. www.findshelter.ca 

Shelter's Craft Collective division provides customizable supply chain services to smaller cannabis cultivators, ranging from brand development to Quality Assurance, and everything in between. Shelter Craft Collective offers small farmers short- and long-term agreements with fixed and variable pricing options, as well as white label opportunities. Visit their website at: www.sheltercraftcollective.ca

About North 40

North 40 Cannabis is a family owned and run cannabis business located in North Eastern Saskatchewan. We are focused on growing high end cannabis products to discerning consumers. www.north40cannabis.com

About Kiaro

Kiaro is a Vancouver-based retail brand that carries a variety of curated products appealing to individuals who wish to enhance their life enjoyment. The company operates a number of fully compliant retail stores across Canada and offers a customized omni-channel cannabis experience that is inviting, convenient and appealing, allowing consumers to choose safe and reputable products.  Kiaro's name derives from the Italian word chiaroscuro, meaning "to emerge from the darkness into light" – a nod to the new era of cannabis legalization. For more information, visit kiaro.com.

SOURCE Shelter

Jamie Shaw, Director of Communications and Culture, Shelter, [email protected], 1-833-983-0282