Amendments to Alberta’s Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act in connection with private retailers come into effect today (March 8).
The changes in legislation allow retailers to sell cannabis online and make deliveries.
This also means that the provincial agency, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), will no longer be engaged in online sales.
Previously, it was only the province that was allowed to sell cannabis online.
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The provincial government estimates that it will lose about $800,000 in annual income from online sales.
The AGLC will continue to buy product from federally licensed cannabis producers, and distribute to licensed private retailers.
Only licensed retailers with operating brick-and-mortar stores can conduct online sales.
In a media release on March 8, cannabis retailer High Tide Inc. announced the launch of its delivery on demand program at select Canna Cabana locations in Alberta.
The company stated that customers will be “guaranteed delivery within two hours”.
High Tide also indicated that it will expand delivery services across its store network across the province in the coming weeks.
“In allowing private sector-led cannabis e-commerce and home delivery, Alberta has shown its commitment to helping regulated cannabis retailers effectively compete against and drive out illicit market operators,” High Tide president and CEO Raj Grover said.
The Calgary-headquartered business also runs stores in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
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