The BC Liquor Distribution Branch(LDB) has unveiled where its first government run marijuana store will be. The first BC Cannabis location will be at the Columbia Place Shopping Centre in Kamloops.
“We welcome this announcement that the LDB is applying to open the first government operated BC Cannabis Store in Kamloops,” said Mayor Ken Christian. “Kamloops City Council supports the work of the provincial government as they map out the future retail cannabis landscape in B.C. Their mixed model for cannabis sales, allowing both public and private retail, has many benefits to B.C. communities. The proposal, like all applications, will require the city’s approval before it will operate.”
The LDB plans to apply in September, ahead of the October 17th national legalization date.
The Province has also a released a list of the 31 cannabis producers it plans to use to supply their BC Cannabis stores, and for distribution to private retailers. 12 of the producers are BC based. 3 are local. THC BioMed and DOJA Cannabis Company in Kelowna, and, Flowr Corp in Lake Country.
Flowr Corp's Chief Policy and Medical Officer, Doctor Lyle Oberg says the next 3 months will be busy, before the October 17th Canadian legalization date. "We're just going through our sales license so we'll have that, in probably a week or ten days, we'll be starting to sell on the medical side in the next, probably, 3 to 4 weeks, and then we'll be gearing up for the recreational. We'll be stockpiling, we'll be putting (cannabis products) in the vault and making sure there's enough supply because historically, when you take a look at other jurisdictions, there's always been a shortage of supply, especially within the first few weeks (of legalization)." Flowr Corp expects to produce close to 1000kg of cannabis each month.
Oberg says there's a buy-local aspect to having 3 Okanagan producers. "Some of the names will certainly be identifying that it's coming from the Okanagan and I think people here know that the growing conditions here are probably better than any place in BC. Plus, they want to support local. They want to support local jobs, they want to support local money staying in the community, and that's what we're advocating."
The 31 licensed producers that have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the LDB:
The initial product assortment will feature more than 150 strains. “We are thrilled to be reaching this significant milestone in developing a competitive wholesale assortment for non-medical cannabis,” said Blain Lawson, LDB’s general manager and CEO. “The volume, variety and quality of our product assortment speak to the LDB’s commitment to working towards eliminating the illicit market.”
Licensed private retailers will be able to access the wholesale cannabis via the LDB’s online sales portal. Details of the process for retailers to register are going to be released at a later date.