What Is Craft Cannabis?

Published on October 16, 2024 | Last updated October 16, 2024

Just like similar goods that have adopted the “craft” label — think artisanal sodas or handmade hot sauce — craft cannabis is known for its unique, specialized products made with expertise and care. Craft methods aren’t better than other kinds of cultivation, but from seed to shelf, craft cannabis is produced with meticulous attention to detail that’s difficult to mirror in large-scale production.

Hand-crafted, cultivated in small batches and bursting with flavour: Explore all that craft cannabis offers.

What is craft cannabis?

At the OCS, the craft cannabis designation is used to highlight smaller-scale Licensed Producers that use specific production methods. We define craft cannabis as bud that is:

• Hang-dried: The plant is cut at the base of the stalk by hand and hung to dry for 10 to 14 days. 
• Hand-trimmed: The plant is trimmed manually with specialized scissors. 
• Hand-packaged: The dried flower is manually packaged to ensure integrity. 
• Small-batch: The growing facility produces less than 10,000 kilograms of dried flower per year. 

What kinds of products are considered “craft”?

Beyond dried flower, we also use the word “craft” to label products made from craft bud, such as pre-rolls, topicals, edibles and more — keep an eye out for the yellow craft cannabis badge as you shop.

A sampling of the types of legal craft cannabis products available in Ontario:

• Craft indica, sativa and hybrid dried flower
• High-THC craft
• Balanced craft
• Low-THC craft
• Bulk craft
• Craft pre-rolls
• Craft milled flower
• Craft concentrates
  
  

Get an in-depth look at how craft cannabis is made.

How is craft cannabis grown?

Craft cannabis is made in much the same way as most dried flower, with a few unique differences because of the hands-on attention it’s given.

Specialty strains

Any strain can be grown with craft techniques, but the small yields and machine-free techniques mean craft growers are able to choose specialty strains or those that need more care. For example, they can grow very sticky cultivars that would typically clog processing machinery.

Growing strategies

Craft cannabis producers are increasingly adopting sustainable growing practices. Some prioritize net-zero waste, water conservation and rainwater recycling, while others grow in mixed living soil or aquaponic systems. Many craft producers rely on natural pest control methods, such as introducing ladybugs or other beneficial insects to cannabis crops.

Handiwork

Craft dried flower is hand-trimmed during the growing period, as smaller leaves are removed to help the buds grow full and large. When it’s just the right size, the flower is harvested from the plant by hand, never by machine. This care helps keep the flower intact, protecting the delicate trichomes, pistils and colas, and producing well-trimmed bud with balanced density.

Slow drying and curing

Craft production methods prioritize slow, controlled drying and curing. Full branches are hung in dark, temperature-controlled rooms for days to weeks to preserve nutrients, cannabinoids and moisture. Another couple of weeks or months of curing in cold storage further preserves aroma, flavour and overall bud quality.

Packaged with care

Gentle hand-packaging helps retain each bud’s delicate trichomes, which contain the terpenes that give cannabis its signature aromas and flavours. Some craft producers use recyclable materials, such as glass containers, to package their products.

What makes craft cannabis different from other cannabis products?

The differences between craft cannabis and other dried flower and cannabis products are subtle.

• Attention to detail: The smaller yield of craft cannabis producers allows for more personalized attention to each plant that’s difficult to mirror in larger-scale productions.
• Product variety: Craft producers often experiment with different strains and growing techniques, leading to a wider variety of products.
• Price: Non-craft products may be less expensive compared to craft options because of the reduced time and resources they require.

Why choose craft?

By selecting craft cannabis, you’re not just choosing a carefully cultivated product — you also may be supporting a grower who prioritizes sustainable practices. Many craft cultivators use organic or natural growing methods that minimize the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, reducing their environmental impact. Craft cannabis often offers a wider range of unique and flavourful products that may not be available from larger-scale producers. The passion for quality shines through in the final product.

Whichever product you choose, ensure you’re making an informed choice and consume responsibly.

SHOP CRAFT CANNABIS