The two legal marijuana stores in Cold Lake licensed by the AGLC will be the only in the Lakeland for the time being. The province says no more retail licences will be issued, due to a shortage of product.
“AGLC ordered enough product to support up to 250 retail stores in the first six months of legalization,” explains Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis President & CEO Alain Maisonneuve, “however, as of November 17 we have only received approximately 20 percent of what we had ordered. While some licensed producers have fulfilled their commitments, not all have.”
Maisonneuve says the government has tried to buy more from other producers with federal licences but hasn’t been able to due to the nation-wide shortage. In the meantime, what’s left will be shared among private retailers, while some will be kept online for people living where there aren’t any stores yet.
“Our priority is to ensure private Alberta retailers are supported,” says Maisonneuve.
Canna Cold Lake opened for business last week with a limited supply. A second license for a Clarity Cannabis store in the city was also granted. That store has yet to open.
AGLC says anyone wanting to pull out of the process can get a full refund. It also won’t be accepting any new applications for the time being.
With files from Erica Fisher, MyGrandePrairieNow.com