Meet the OCS’s 2025 Social Impact Fund Partners

Last updated October 8, 2025 | Published on October 8, 2025 

As part of our commitment to prioritize a socially responsible cannabis industry, the OCS is proud to announce the partner projects selected to receive funding through our 2025 Social Impact Fund (the Fund).

This year’s recipients include partners from the University of Guelph, Purple Hills Centre, Students Commission of Canada, Institute for Sustainable Health and Social Impact, Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology and Higher Being Collective.

What is the Social Impact Fund?

The Fund aims to build meaningful partnerships that bridge gaps in knowledge, create shared social value and mobilize positive change related to cannabis in Ontario and beyond.

Part of the OCS’s suite of research, resources and programming available through the Good All Around social impact platform, the Fund provides financial support to programs, services and research undertaken by incorporated not-for-profits, registered charitable organizations and researchers affiliated with academic or research institutions.

The selected partner projects and associated funding streams strategically align with the OCS’s Social Responsibility Plan.

We’re excited to introduce this year’s community partnership teams. Keep reading to learn more about them and the important work they’ll be doing over the next year.

UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH

Cannabis and Harm Reduction: A Post-Secondary Approach to Education and Supporting Student Success

Cannabis is the second most used substance by post-secondary students. Among students who consume cannabis regularly, more than half are at moderate risk of developing health issues, and there is growing concern about the relationship between cannabis use and the risk of psychosis among youth.

The University of Guelph’s Student Wellness Services team aims to provide post-secondary students with evidence-based, engaging and meaningful information about safer cannabis use and advance their knowledge about cannabis and polysubstance use to reduce potential harms of consumption.

The goal of this project is to develop best-practice approaches to educating and supporting students around responsible cannabis consumption and create health promotion as it relates to cannabis and polysubstance use.

The team will develop an online module about safer cannabis education, deliver engaging student outreach programs and develop and share an educational framework for post-secondary health promoters at institutions across Ontario.

PURPLE HILLS CENTRE

From Waste to Resource: Building Ontario’s Cannabis Packaging Circular Economy

Building on the Purple Hills Centre’s Purple Bin program, which has collected over 10 tonnes of packaging and hardware waste from 1,000-plus Authorized Cannabis Stores since January 2024, the project seeks to develop circular solutions that divert the collected waste to recycling and reuse, in addition to refuse-derived fuel processing.

The primary goal is to divert at least 30% of collected waste to recycling and reuse within the first year. To achieve this, Purple Hills Centre will partner with innovative waste management companies to:

• improve sortation processes
• identify recyclable and reusable materials, including growing e-waste streams
• remanufacture recovered materials for future commercial use

The project also aims to expand industry participation by engaging at least 10 cannabis Licensed Producers and two packaging suppliers, as both waste contributors and buyers of recycled packaging.

By integrating reuse into cannabis packaging practices, this initiative will create a replicable model for circular economy adoption, reducing environmental impact and demonstrating how producer responsibility can be meaningfully implemented in Ontario’s regulatory landscape.

STUDENTS COMMISSION OF CANADA

Be Blunt: Mindful Use and Open Conversations on Safe(r) Cannabis Choices

The Students Commission of Canada (SCC) will deliver cannabis education in Ontario communities through a youth-driven Participatory Action Research project that engages youth to make informed decisions about cannabis use by placing them at the centre of research, dialogue and education.

Through intergenerational partnerships and the SCC’s Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement, youth will explore and conduct research on cannabis use and production in their communities, and design and implement knowledge mobilization products that directly address concerns around cannabis use and education.

By equipping youth with the tools to lead research and create educational resources, this project fosters critical thinking, leadership and community engagement. The initiative operates on multiple levels: individually, by building youth knowledge and decision-making skills; socially, by encouraging peer-to-peer learning and discussions; and systemically, by shaping more relevant and youth-informed cannabis education materials to be used by youth, youth workers and teachers.

By actively engaging youth in the research process, this project ensures cannabis education in Ontario is both evidence-based and grounded in the lived experiences of young people. The SCC will support youth in shaping how cannabis education is developed and delivered in their communities, making it more relevant, accessible and impactful.

INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE HEALTH AND SOCIAL IMPACT

High Notes, Clear Minds

High Notes, Clear Minds is a creative education initiative advancing cannabis literacy and responsible use within Black communities across Ontario. Through music, rhythm and culturally grounded expression, the project delivers interactive workshops, live performances and community-led dialogues that engage participants in accessible, affirming ways. Grounded in evidence-based cannabis use guidelines, the initiative addresses stigma, misinformation and knowledge gaps, empowering participants with practical harm reduction strategies and safer consumption methods. Artists, educators and community leaders facilitate discussions on the legal, social and health aspects of cannabis, fostering informed decision-making through open and non-judgmental conversations.

The program prioritizes outreach to Black youth, low-income groups, Afro-Indigenous communities and seasonal workers, offering tailored, culturally congruent education. Workshops will take place across Ontario, integrating music and the arts to enhance engagement and learning. Project goals include delivering relevant cannabis education, building partnerships with local organizations, creating digital tools for ongoing learning and strengthening community connections. By harmonizing education with cultural expression, High Notes, Clear Minds promotes equity, empowerment and sustainable health practices in service of Ontario’s diverse Black communities.

SAULT COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY

Cannabis and Your Career

The goal of Cannabis and Your Career is to align expectations, reduce disqualification rates and expand the talent pool for employers in safety-sensitive industries.

While recreational cannabis is legal, its use can still disqualify job seekers from safety-sensitive positions that require negative drug tests. Many applicants are unaware that cannabis remains a barrier to employment in industrial sectors, creating a gap between legalization and workplace safety requirements.

Cannabis and Your Career will educate job seekers interested in working in the manufacturing and industrial sectors on safety-sensitive environments, how cannabis use may impact potential employment prospects and the importance of sobriety while on the job. The project will focus on responsible consumption, metabolization of cannabis and why some companies still require drug testing for cannabis even though it has been legalized. The project will be delivered in the form of a free micro-credential on Sault College’s existing micro-credential platform. The module will be developed based on the learner audience, which will be made up of job seekers who are interested in working in manufacturing and industrial sectors.

HIGHER BEING COLLECTIVE

Grow With Us Mentorship Program

This project aims to empower women, especially those with disabilities and from underserved communities, to thrive in the legal cannabis space through mentorship, education and accessible business tools.

This Grow With Us Mentorship Program will welcome over 50 participants, including 10 women selected for the Intensive Track — a high-touch mentorship stream that includes one-on-one coaching, expert-led training, startup development tools and access to CannSell Standard and Expert certifications. Intensive spots will be filled through a fair and equitable application process to ensure diverse representation and impact.

Rather than offering grants, the program equips participants with practical startup tools — from business registration and domain setup to educational resources — giving them what they need to begin operating successfully in a competitive, regulated market.

The Higher Being Collective also offer a fully accessible digital portal, peer learning opportunities and four hybrid networking events focused on key business areas like marketing, sales and operational readiness.

With a clear mission to break barriers and a vision rooted in equity, Higher Being Collective helps women do more than enter the space — it prepares them to lead in it.