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The first main issue with the draft regulations are the proposed production rules and how they impact infused beverages. Infused beverages will have to be manufactured in buildings that are entirely separate from any and all other food production. This will mean that in order to actually produce these beverages, manufacturers will need entirely new buildings and facilities, rather than simply creating sealed and secure rooms within existing facilities. Requiring manufacturers to operate in this way obviously hurts their bottom line. But more importantly, by inflating costs, it creates more barriers for consumers who might prefer the less-risky method of consuming cannabis via infused beverage, or any edible for that matter, rather than smoking it.

When it comes to packaging, these beverages will be required to be plain packaged just like other forms of cannabis currently on the legal recreational market. The arguments against plain packaging cannabis are well established and fairly straightforward. The issues with branding restrictions are especially true for beverages, because the draft regulations will prohibit well-established alcohol brands from using their name on cannabis products. This is problematic for consumers because alcohol brands have already solidified their brand with products that are for adult use only. Allowing for these alcohol brands to use their brand on cannabis products ensures that these beverages clearly signal to consumers that they are for only adults to use, which helps prevent and curb consumption from minors.