Kootenay Collective
Our History
Back in the 40s and 50s, the Kootenays earned a reputation for being a safe harbour to draft dodgers, misfits, and folks who just wanted a place where they could be different.
By the 70s, new arrivals were flowing in from places like California, Colorado, and Oregon. As they moved north, they brought with them what would quietly become the seeds of our regional cannabis industry.
With a cultural foundation and natural environment unlike any other, the Kootenays would eventually grow to become one of the world’s best sources for premium craft cannabis.
The region’s reputation for quality encouraged a sense of pride and that sense of pride encouraged a culture of quality. Today, local industry benefits from a multi generational talent pool that is truly second to none.
As we look to the future, we understand that our greatest opportunities reside within our greatest responsibilities. We are stewards of the Kootenay Legacy.
Our Secret Sauce
We have a love for the plant and the people who grow it here. This is our legacy and we’re among the best in the world at what we do. We know that doing it right means everyone wins.
A culture of quality and the foresight to protect those standards. Understanding the value of trust and how to earn it. Speaking from a place of honesty and respecting the customer.
A regional identity with meaningful quality standards and an ability to meet them. A membership of producers who care deeply about their craft and take pride in their work. A badge that truly represents the Kootenay Standard.
Governance
The Kootenay Collective Cannabis Society is a registered non-profit society under the British Columbia Societies Act. It exists to support long-term, sustainable growth in the regional cannabis industry while protecting the Kootenays’ unique heritage and culture. The Society operates in the collective interest of its members and the broader regional ecosystem.
Our mission is to advance the reputation and economic strength of Kootenay cannabis by establishing and upholding rigorous quality standards, fostering collaboration, and representing shared regional interests.
Our vision is for cannabis producers from the Kootenays’ to be recognized internationally as leaders in quality, innovation, and giving back to their local communities. This initiative is supported by Selkirk Innovates as part of a three-year, federally funded economic development project focused on strengthening the region’s cannabis economy.
