VANCOUVER—A B.C. licensed cannabis producer announced Tuesday it has sent its first shipment of recreational weed for future sale in the province once legalization takes effect on Oct. 17.

THC Biomed, a cannabis producer located in the Okanagan, said in a press release that dried cannabis bud, cannabis oil and pre-rolled joints had all been shipped off in anticipation of legalization day.

THC Biomed could not immediately be reached for further comment.

The Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB), according to the B.C.’s Cannabis Distribution Act, will be the only legal wholesaler of recreational weed. Private retailers will be able to set up storefronts pending approval from both local and provincial governments, though all of their product must be purchased through the LDB.

The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), which is responsible for licensing and monitoring in the “non-medical” retail cannabis sector, would not confirm specifics on which potential retailers were being considered for licensing, or when those licences might be approved. It is, however, reviewing applications from across B.C., said a statement issued to StarMetro from the office of B.C.’s Ministry of Attorney General. The LCRB began accepting applications for licensing in the first half of August.

Additionally, the B.C. government will be the sole operator of all online recreational cannabis sales in the province.

The statement from the Ministry of Attorney General said the shipment from THC Biomed follows on others that have been sent to LDB from Canadian cannabis producers ahead of legalization.

The province’s Richmond Distribution Centre, reads the statement, has already received several shipments of recreational cannabis. All of that product is pooled pending a decision regarding what will be shipped out, and to which stores or retail distribution channels.

To date, only a single LDB cannabis storefront in Kamloops is confirmed to be ready to open its doors as of Oct. 17. The ministry would not confirm whether further brick-and-mortar recreational cannabis stores would be opening their doors any time soon, saying only that the LDB “is actively investigating suitable locations across the province, and is committed to a careful and efficient rollout of its chain of B.C. Cannabis Stores.”

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