In light of provincial legislation announced last month, a popular Victoria dispensary is changing its name.
To reflect rules outlined in B.C.’s private retail licensing guide, the Hillside dispensary formerly known as Farmacy (3055A Scott Street) will become Farm.
According the guide, released on February 5, all store names must be approved by the province’s liquor board, and cannot contain the words, ‘pharmacy’, ‘apothecary’, or ‘dispensary’, because such terms ‘all have meanings linked to the selling of medicines, so these words cannot be used in association with a non-medical cannabis store.’
A March 14 news release from the shop assures customers that the new name won’t bring any major changes to the business. The name will also be applied to Farm’s second dispensary, which will open in Downtown Victoria in May 2018.
According to the release, Farm, which has long marketed itself as a medical cannabis dispensary, is preparing to align itself with the Canadian recreational cannabis industry.
‘The name change to FARM will accommodate the federal cannabis laws Canadians will be ushering in this summer while maintaining the discrete, professional service experience Farmacy members have come to expect,’ it says.
All existing dispensaries are still required to apply for a provincial non-medical cannabis retail licence before they are approved to sell recreational cannabis. The liquor control and licensing branch will launch an online application portal later this spring.
