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By Gillian Slade on February 17, 2018.



gslade@medicinehatnews.com

Provincial officials said Friday they expect 250 retail cannabis stores initially around Alberta when legalization comes into effect this summer.

Everyone working in the industry will all have to undergo an extensive background check and training.

“We believe that our regulations will strike the right balance,” Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley said Friday in Calgary as she unveiled the new regulations for marijuana distribution.

Stores will need to be a physical bricks-and-mortar building with a minimum 100-metre buffer zone between cannabis retailers, schools and hospitals, she said. No drive-thru cannabis retailers will be allowed. Consuming the product in a vehicle, even as a passenger, is illegal.

While regulations are established by the province, municipalities could adjust certain aspects to suit requirements.

“The city has received numerous inquiries (roughly two to eight per week over the past few months) with regard to a wide range of cannabis-related issues and potential business opportunities,” said Jim Genge, senior planner, planning & development services for the city.

The city is garnering public feedback on the topic of cannabis through a survey available on its website.

There will be no consumption of cannabis in retail stores and mandatory security measures will be in place. Nobody under 18 years of age will be allowed in a cannabis retail store regardless of whether they are with an adult.

“These regulations focus on keeping communities safe, while protecting public health and promoting safety on roads, in workplaces and in public spaces,” said Ganley. “They’ll help keep cannabis out of the hands of youth, while ensuring consumers have access to safe products no matter where they live.”

The federal government plans to legalize the sale of cannabis this summer.

A maximum of 30 grams can be purchased at any one time, and operating hours for retail stores in Alberta will be 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. but municipalities will be able to restrict that further. The product will be available in the dry form or as an oil.

Suppliers of cannabis must be federally licensed producers. After asking for expressions of interest, the province is now evaluating bids submitted and is pleased with the response. While the province would not speculate on demand for the product, initially it is not concerned about meeting demand.

Product, available only through the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC), will be delivered to the retailer in sealed containers and sold like that.

Applications to be a retailer will be submitted to the AGLC. Forms can be downloaded now but only submitted from March 6. A fee of $400 will apply to each application. A deposit of $3,000 is also required for a background check that takes two to four months and includes the applicant’s tax information for three years, and where any funding is coming from.

In the case of a corporate structure, a background check will apply to each director. A licence fee of $700 per year will also apply. One operator will not be allowed more than 15 per cent of the total number of stores in the province.

Employees will undergo a criminal record check paid for by the individual. Minor offences such as a driving infraction will not be a barrier. Mandatory training, online through the AGLC, will commence May 1 and take four to six hours. Training will include Alberta cannabis laws, skills and knowledge, not selling to minors, health risks, dealing with difficult customers and refusing to sell to someone.

Selling to a minor will be considered a criminal offence and could disqualify the operator from continuing to operate.

This makes sense to the Medicine Hat Police Service.

“They should be doing everything they can to ensure organized crime is not infiltrating retail sources,” said Andy McGrogan chief. “I think these are all very good precautions.”

The retail price for cannabis can be set by the retailer but the province could also set the price if it thinks that is necessary. The wholesale price will be the same for all retailers. What that price is has not been established yet.

Consumption of cannabis will only be permitted where smoking tobacco is allowed. Advertising of cannabis will only be allowed where there are no minors allowed.

Purchasing the product online will only be allowed through the AGLC.