The sooner private stores apply the new rules and move to the legal system, the better, Minister Farnworth says

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says there are 173 applications for private stores, 62 of which are complete

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — When marijuana becomes legal in Canada on Wednesday, it will still be a while before most people in B.C. can walk into a store and buy it on the up-and-up.

We know there will be one government store open in Kamloops this week and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says there are 173 applications for private stores in the system, 62 of which are considered complete.

When will the first of those open? Speaking outside his office in Victoria Monday morning, Farnworth only said “in the coming months.”

So given the expected demand for recreational cannabis after Wednesday, how will the online pot portal hold up for everyone looking to buy?

“Those are questions I asked right from the get-go, to make sure that this system is able to handle the anticipated volume” said Farnworth.

“There has been a lot of work done on that because we know that is probably one of the key issues — people want to make sure that when they go on it that it doesn’t crash. We are confident the system will work on Wednesday.”

The Minister was also asked if the provincial government is worried about losing out on tax revenue with only one legal pot store operating at the time of legalization.

“This is not about revenue, and I have been clear about that from the start,” he responded.

“In fact, when we went down to Washington and Oregon — the finance minister and I, well over a year ago — the message from those jurisdictions and Colorado was do not be looking at this as a revenue-generator in your first few years. If you do, it’s a significant mistake.”

Farnworth also had some words of advice for marijuana dispensaries currently operating outside the legal system, saying enforcement will be ramping up as private stores start getting approval.

He suggested it is in their best interest to look at the new rules and laws, and the sooner they apply and move to the legal system, the better.