Business View Magazine - October 2018

344 345 market develops into what we want it to be.We are far less confident about what’s happening in Canada because there’s a lot of misunderstanding and inexperience. They aren’t going to have any of the products people want on Day One. So, I could go in as a consumer and try to buy this mediocre-quality, 15-percent bud that the Licensed Producers (LPs) put out, or I could go to my dispensary and get the latest, cutting-edge, quadruple A, 28 percent cannabis that they’re selling. I’m pretty sure where con- sumers will go if they’re discerning about price or quality. And not many will spend four hours researching online whether that dispensary is legal.” BVM: Do you distribute both medical cannabis and recreational? Hasan: “From one perspective, we sell both adult use and medical because our products are also available for prescription in the medical system. But I draw a strong distinc- tion to let people know that we are definitely not a medical company. I’m not doing clinical trials, and that’s not what our business model is going to be. “Not for an instant would I de- value the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant, but what I’m pointing out is that we’re very much an adult use company. In my mind, you can either be adult use or true medical, which includes clinical trials. Companies like GW Pharmaceuticals that are doing the good hard work you need to do to make real medicines, I applaud them for taking CANNAROYALTY CORPORATION the industry where it needs to go.” BVM: How does CannaRoyalty address the social responsibility attached to the cannabis industry? Hasan: “Social responsibility is a huge part of what we do. It starts off by employing people in local jurisdictions. Giving them good jobs and a good work environment. Then it goes, externally, to different levels of the community that we are involved with as an organization. I believe, at its core, that we’re offering people a product on the shelves that increases their choice and their ability to make lifestyle decisions for themselves. And in so doing, that provides a benefit to soci- ety. I don’t believe that everybody can or should consume cannabis; everyone has the right to live their life the way they like, with the use of cannabinoids or not.What I do think is critical, is affording them the choice to make an informed decision. “Ensuring the information is there for people to understand the products, ensuring that safe, reliable products are consistently making their way onto the shelves, ensuring the shelves are stocked regularly - that I view as a social good because we’re providing consumers that choice. And if you don’t provide that choice and access, they will resort to far less safe means in illegal markets.” BVM: Cannabis is a hot topic these days. How do you see the future evolving for the industry and CannaRoyalty Corp.?