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A dozen medical pot producers plan to start a chain of Alberta marijuana stores if the provincial government allows private companies to sell recreational weed next year.

The Canadian Cannabis Co-Op hopes to get in on the ground floor of what’s expected to be a billion-dollar Alberta industry when the federal government legalizes dope consumption July 1, 2018.

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“We will build out a retail channel in Alberta and any other province that is looking at including private sector retail and distribution in their model,” Darren Karasiuk, chair of the co-op working group, said Thursday.

“We’re anxious to get out in front of Albertans, to talk more about our proposal, to communicate with the legislators and figure out how we fit into this at whatever level works best in Alberta.”

Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley released the province’s proposed framework for marijuana sales this week, saying she’s looking for more input on whether to set up government-owned and run stores, as planned in Ontario, or licence and regulate private operators.