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The CBC highlighted the "illicit" market distribute less potent weed and high pesticide is utterly false as the license producers are highly regulated on the fertilizer technology that they are allowed to use and had a huge array of fugicide and pesticide that they are allowed to use. The average health canada potency measured in thc is at about 17-23% where as the average of the 'illicit' or is at 25-35%. The percent of pesticide and fungicide can be ranged since many of the 'illicit' growers either dont have bugs or uses natural ipm so a bulk of them dont even have any trace of fungicide nor pesticide.
This article is a great example of fake news trying to scare people into yielding to their cannabis monopoly.
Amazon, the so-called "everything store," has long marketed itself as a place where customers can find virtually anything they need. While its prominence surged during the COVID-19 years, the reality is that Amazon’s versatility and accessibility have been increasingly undermined. In particular, niche markets like hydroponics commodities are facing the brunt of Amazon’s authoritarian policies, inconsistent enforcement, and disregard for genuine customer and seller concerns. This approach has turned the platform into a frustrating choice for both buyers and sellers of specialized products.
Amazon's War on Hydroponics
Hydroponics is a sustainable and effective growing method for vegetables, flowers, and other plants. Yet, Amazon has been systematically removing hydroponic-related products under the guise of enforcing its "Restricted Products Policy."
One egregious example is Amazon flagging the legitimate and widely respected product Advanced Nutrients Tarantula Liquid Fertilizer as "drug paraphernalia." The screenshot above illustrates the absurdity of this decision. Despite this product having no overt ties to cannabis, Amazon has banned its sale.
Even more perplexing is the fact that cannabis is legal in Canada. Why does Amazon insist on enforcing outdated restrictions that hurt small businesses and limit consumer choice? This overreach only highlights how disconnected Amazon is from the realities of the markets it claims to serve.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Other hydroponic products, such as Nirvana and many others, have met the same fate. Amazon’s actions appear to be part of a broader effort to eliminate hydroponic items, regardless of their intended use for non-controversial gardening purposes like growing vegetables or flowers.
Quality Control? What Quality Control?
Beyond policy overreach, Amazon’s failure to address counterfeit products is another glaring issue.
In one instance, we purchased two products labeled Clonex Solution 1L and Clonex Gel 250g from a third-party seller on Amazon. Both turned out to be fake. The bottles were different, the labels were photocopied, the seals were tampered with, and the caps were completely off-brand.
Despite submitting detailed proof to Amazon, including photos of the discrepancies, the platform took no action. The counterfeit seller continued to operate until the products sold out. Even after receiving negative reviews, Amazon did not intervene.
This negligence not only endangers customers but also harms the reputation of legitimate sellers who provide genuine, high-quality goods.
Amazon’s Decline in Niche Products
Amazon’s aggressive and poorly executed policies have led to a dramatic reduction in niche product availability. For example, our store once had over 2,000 product listings on Amazon; today, that number has been cut in half.
Amazon, which once prided itself on offering everything, now seems determined to alienate sellers of specialty products. The platform is rapidly devolving into a glorified convenience store for mainstream items like diapers and toilet paper.
Meanwhile, competitors like Temu and other niche-friendly platforms are gaining traction. Sellers are migrating away from Amazon, leaving behind a marketplace filled with generic products that offer little value or differentiation.
Support Local and Specialized Stores
Amazon’s failure to cater to hydroponics enthusiasts creates an opportunity for customers to support local hydroponic stores and specialized online retailers. These businesses offer the expertise, authenticity, and product quality that Amazon simply cannot match.
Local retailers and dedicated e-commerce stores (including ourselves) are committed to helping gardeners grow everything from vegetables to exotic flowers. Unlike Amazon, we understand the unique needs of the hydroponics community and provide the right tools and products to meet them.
The Bottom Line
Amazon’s draconian policies, refusal to address counterfeit products, and disregard for niche markets like hydroponics are eating away at its reputation as a go-to marketplace. By alienating small businesses and specialty sellers, Amazon is actively driving away the very community that once made it successful.
If Amazon continues down this path, it risks losing its identity as "the everything store." For hydroponics enthusiasts, the best choice is to support local businesses and reputable online retailers who value their customers and craft.
Stop relying on a platform that has grown too big to care—invest your time and money in businesses that truly understand and cater to your needs.
