Ontario Cannabis Store Announces 2025 Social Impact Fund Partners

October 8, 2025 (TORONTO) — In line with its commitment to expand cannabis knowledge and foster a socially responsible cannabis industry, the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Social Impact Fund (the Fund).

Now in its second funding cycle, the Fund was first launched in 2023 to build meaningful partnerships that bridge knowledge gaps, create shared social value and mobilize positive change related to cannabis in Ontario and beyond. This year, OCS has allocated more than $527,000 to support initiatives aligned with its Social Responsibility Plan.

Part of OCS’s Good All Around social impact platform, the Fund provides financial support to programs, services and research led by incorporated not-for-profits, registered charities and academic institutions.

The 2025 Social Impact Fund partner projects are:

·       University of Guelph – Developing an online learning module and delivering outreach to educate students on safer cannabis and polysubstance use, reducing risks and promoting responsible consumption.

·       Purple Hills Centre – This project will expand Purple Hills Centre’s Purple Bin program by working with licensed producers, suppliers and waste management to divert cannabis packaging from landfill and develop a model that can be used by others to promote recycling and reuse.

·       Students Commission of Canada – Engaging Ontario youth in Participatory Action Research on cannabis, fostering leadership, peer learning and community dialogue to create relevant, evidence-based and youth-informed education and resources.

·       Institute for Sustainable Health and Social Impact – Delivering culturally-grounded, evidence-based cannabis education in Ontario’s Black communities, promoting harm reduction and informed decision making.

·       Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology – This project will develop a free micro-credential for job seekers in manufacturing and industrial sectors, educating them on cannabis use, responsible consumption, drug testing policies and the importance of sobriety in safety-sensitive jobs.

·       Higher Being Collective – This project will serve as a career incubator for the cannabis industry, empowering women in the sector through mentorship, certifications, startup tools, peer learning and networking.   

“The Social Impact Fund has given us the opportunity and capacity to elevate the knowledge around safer cannabis consumption not only to the students on our campus but at schools across Ontario,” said Shannon Brown, a Wellness Educator with the University of Guelph. “With this funding, we are excited to create a sustainable foundation for comprehensive cannabis education for post-secondary students.”

"The Social Impact Fund continues to demonstrate the power of partnerships in shaping a more socially responsible cannabis industry,” said Tanya Watkins, Vice President - Corporate Affairs, Social Responsibility & Strategic Engagement at OCS. “We’re proud to support these dynamic projects that will drive positive change across Ontario and the sector."

For more information about the 2025 Social Impact Fund and its partner projects, visit: www.OCS.ca/SocialImpactFund