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Tim Harvey, CEO of Lighthouse Genomics which specializes in gene-sequencing cannabis plants, says the lack of transparency is the “elephant in the room” of marijuana legalization.

Neither the federal nor provincial government demands cannabis producers genetically identify their product, ensure each harvest is identical, warn of genetic modifications or identify so-called frankenplants.

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The situation, he said, is the equivalent of farmers being allowed to sell Granny Smith apples as Galas or winemakers selling a Pinot Noir as a Merlot without concern because both are red with equivalent alcohol content.

“You can imagine, these cannabis products that are not genetically consistent, people could have reactions to getting the wrong strain, things like that,” Harvey said. “This is really about protecting the consumer at the end of the day.”

Canada legalized pot rapidly and some issues received short shrift such as the verifiable identity of products going on the shelves.