HOBO Recreational Cannabis has opened its doors in Kelowna, marking the first time in Canadian history residents have legal, retail access to their local bud.
HOBO Recreational Cannabis has opened its doors in Kelowna, marking the first time in Canadian history residents have legal, retail access to their local bud.
Harrison Stoker, Vice President of Brand and Culture anticipates a busy week ahead.
“If the barometer is how many knocks we’ve had on the door in the last two weeks, I think it’s going to be pretty busy today and I think that Kelowna’s really ready for us to throw our doors open. Everyone’s pretty widely supportive of this idea, recreational cannabis, and we aim to deliver,” said Stoker.
HOBO Rec. is located at Springfield Rd. and Cooper Rd. and offers dried flower, pre-rolled joints, capsules, oils and sprays.
Prices match BC Cannabis, varying by product, quality and quantity, with the cost of dried flower ranging from $9.00 to $14.00 per gram.
According to Stoker, HOBO exclusively offers product grown by producers in the Okanagan Valley.
“It’s particularly exciting to do it in Kelowna because there are some really great licensed producers, cannabis cultivators, that the locals haven’t had access to in the legal framework and so today, in theory, will be the first time Kelowna residents can buy legal Kelowna cannabis so it’s really, really exciting”
With tensions rising around homelessness, vandalism and drug addiction in Kelowna, some residents have concerns about proximity to schools and supportive housing.
Stoker believes cannabis has been negatively stigmatized in the last few decades and won't have a negative affect on the surrounding area.
He encourages anyone with worries to pop over, meet the team and see how clean, casual and comfortable the experience really is.
“We're a very professional organization, this is our fourth location, we've been in business and hospitality for over two decades and we really understand how to be good operators but more importantly good neighbours. So, we're pretty happy to help destigmatize that notion for anyone who feels a little intimidated,” said Stoker.
