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By Justine Kelsie

Cannabis companies eyeing Grande Prairie for future retail locations

Apr 6, 2018 | 4:18 PM

Although the City of Grande Prairie continues to work on bylaw amendments for when marijuana becomes legalized across the country, businesses are already vying for their space in the cannabis marketplace. 

In order to be able to run a cannabis retail store, business owners will need a license through the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC). To obtain a license, entrepreneurs have to jump through a few hoops.

Manager of Communications of Corporate Responsibility & Reputation at the AGLC Heather Holmen says before an application can be processed, there is administrative work to be completed by the regulator.

“Once all the criteria have been checked off, we post the proposed locations to the 21-day objection page. That is an opportunity for three weeks for communities, and anyone really, to be able to look and see where prospective applicants are looking to apply to have a retail location,” said Holmen. 

Right now, there are two companies currently eyeballing three locations in the city. Spirit Leaf is looking at a spot on 82 Avenue with any objections due today (April 6). Fire & Flower Inc. is looking at a location on Kateri Drive and another in the Riocan Centre. People have until April 18, 2018, to voice their opinion on those two locations. There could be more businesses that have been on the list and there could be future businesses posted as well. 

“If all is looking good and there were no objections or any substantial objections that would get in the way of proceeding, that is when the background check and application process goes into play. The three week period is very much a time to flag anything glaring or contentious before we actually get into processing the license.”

Holmen calls any work that is being done with cannabis licenses “very preliminary”. A license wouldn’t be issued until development permits were issued by the city and the legalization of cannabis has to take place this summer in order for licenses from the AGLC to be issued. 

The same process is used when deciding licenses for liquor stores. 

by Justine Kelsie