Learning, Leading & Legalization
As we near the end of a rollercoaster 2020, we wanted to reflect on the ride we’ve been on for the past two years: the journey towards cannabis legalization in Canada.
With ups, downs and many a twist and turn, the legalization adventure has been exciting, dynamic and rewarding (with the occasional stomach-churning moment). It’s also been a valuable learning experience for our team here at Nine Point Agency, as we wrapped our heads around Health Canada’s cannabis-related marketing restrictions and channeled our creativity into memorable, impactful and legal promotions of our cannabis clients.
Let’s talk about the cannabis industry
The Canadian cannabis industry has faced many challenges, from regulations and quality to consistency and supply, not to mention a global pandemic. Despite it all, the sector has flourished, with annual sales of $2.6 billion expected in 2020. New products have been introduced, including concentrates, edibles and beverages that have widened the plant’s appeal among consumer audiences. Comparatively, the US is five times as big and cannabis sales there are expected to hit $15 billion in 2020—yet it remains federally illegal.
Let’s talk about us
You’re probably wondering how we carved out our niche in the early days of the Canadian cannabis industry. It’s our goal to help foster and support a diverse community in this space, and one of the best ways we can do this is by sharing our experiences, lessons and achievements with others.
Founded in 2018, Nine Point Agency is a female-led, all-female team catering to an industry that has been consistently under-represented (read: basically non-existent) in public relations and marketing.
Some agencies are driven by opportunity; however, our connection to cannabis is personal. Cannabis and alternative medicines are integrated into our everyday lifestyle, and we’re grateful to regularly experience the positive benefits firsthand.
As a Vancouver-based PR agency, we’re lucky to be rooted in one of the most progressive provinces nationwide. Beautiful British Columbia is the home of world-renowned “BC Bud”, built on a rich history of legacy growers who have spent decades learning the many complexities of cannabis. Here, our favourite plant is known as “weed” — and can grow like so in the wild — but we have a nose for the heady aroma, and a palate for the silky flavours, of cannabis crafted by experts.
Here in BC, our community is spearheading plant medicine culture. We are global pioneers of normalizing cannabis use, amongst ourselves and for generations to come.
Let’s talk about our work
Experts in the field of cannabis PR and marketing, Nine Point Agency has a proven history of working with industry-leading cannabis brands throughout North America.
With our clients as partners, we’ve felt the highs of their success and the heartbreaks of their disappointment as we all navigated a new industry together. Whether helping our retail clients push for licenses and spread the news of their new store openings, supporting licensed producers in building powerful brands, or patiently moving through the many hoops of Health Canada approvals, we’re familiar with delays and setbacks, as well as triumphs and success. Throughout it all, the sparks of a future with cannabis have kept our embers burning.
Over the years, we’ve incepted and executed unique experiences and events, media relations, brand development and digital marketing campaigns for our cannabis and lifestyle clients. Our strong relationships and knowledge, backed by a passion for plant medicines, contribute to our agency’s cutting-edge approach and fierce personality. We help everyone in the cannabis industry—brands, retailers, licensed producers and key opinion leaders—strengthen their connection to wider and more relevant audiences.
We’re proud of our work within, and for, the cannabis industry. We’ve managed media relations for Lift & Co., Canada’s leading cannabis industry conference, and worked with prominent retail brands such as Kiaro, Choom and Burb to launch compliant stores across the country. We’ve also supported initiatives for rising companies such as SpeakEasy, Tantalus, Simply Bare and Qwest.
We helped Fiyer Cannabis, one of the Fraser Valley’s first micro-cultivators, develop their brand identity and online presence. Always nimble, we pivoted to current climates, hosting a “Virtual Vibe” for 4/20—the cannabis culture’s national holiday—in lieu of in-person celebrations.
Collaborating with key opinion leaders in the industry, we hosted a popular pop-up and the first-ever cannabis-infused dinner in Vancouver with the Herbal Chef—and this was long before you were sprinkling CBD oil over your movie-night popcorn.
Supporting causes we’re passionate about matters to us, which is why we’ve also helped Decriminalize Nature Canada in a pro-bono capacity with their national campaign to decriminalize plant medicines in the country. Decriminalization will reduce people’s risk of arrest for using natural alternatives, which could in turn help to heal and treat common mental health conditions. We’re confident that cannabis and plant medicine research will revolutionize our relationship with traditional pharmaceuticals and wellness in general... all for the greater good.
Slowly but surely, cannabis and cannabis-derived products are integrating into our daily routines. It’s only natural for attitudes and perceptions to change. We see an exciting future for plant medicines and an industry poised to grow, and we’re here for it.
Using our expertise and personal knowledge of cannabis, we have the opportunity to guide and shape the industry’s evolution, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly.
Let’s talk about you
So, now you know a little about us. We would love to learn about you. Send us a note and we can discuss how to elevate your brand and tackle the next evolution together.
