With cannabis continuing to approach legalization, the Saskatchewan government has made the latest steps in their preparation for legalization with the announcement of each of the provinces 51 retail store operators.
Approximately two-thirds of the 51 retailers are from Saskatchewan or have operations in the province, says a government press release.
“This represents the next step in the process of having a privately-operated cannabis retail system carefully regulated by SLGA,” Minister Responsible for SLGA Gene Makowsky said in the release. “There was a lot of interest in the public Request for Proposal process, resulting in many new businesses that will invest in our province.”
The successful applicants were selected as part of a two-step Request for Proposal process, which began in March.
The first step of the process included qualification screening focused on financial and sales/inventory tracking systems.
“All those that qualified entered the second phase of the process which was a lottery draw to select the successful operators. KPMG was engaged to provide oversight and monitor the entire RFP process,” according to the release.
Successful applicants now have 45 days to begin the permitting process, with a condition of their permit being that they must be operating with 12 months of legalization.
Permits will not take effect until legalization has occurred.
“Cannabis retail stores must be standalone operations, selling only cannabis, cannabis accessories and ancillary items as defined by SLGA. Alcohol sales will not be permitted in cannabis stores. Cannabis retail locations are subject to local municipal zoning bylaws,” says the release.
Humboldt is among the 51 locations for a retail store, with Yorkton based company Tweed Grasslands selected to operate that location.
