Medical cannabis in Canada gets kosher certification

Hydropothecary Corp., the sole licensed producer of medical cannabis in Quebec, said it has become the only business in Canada to offer certified kosher cannabis products – a move intended to expand the company’s potential customer base.

CEO Sebastien St. Louis told Marijuana Business Daily the move “addresses the needs of not only those who follow Jewish dietary law but also vegans, vegetarians and anyone interested in the providence of what they consume.”

The Gatineau-based company, traded as APH on the TSX Venture Exchange, said Ottawa Vaad HaKashrut certified its processed medical marijuana products as kosher, a designation given to foods that conform to Jewish dietary law.

Obtaining kosher certification requires several components, including an audit of cleaning protocols, a kosher compliance review and onsite inspections throughout the year.

In the United States, Vireo Health of New York’s products were certified as kosher by the Orthodox Union at the end of 2015.