Want to partake in selling legal marijuana? There’s a three-step process to get the required permit.
The process was unveiled March 14. Tisdale, Melfort and Nipawin have been approved for one cannabis retail store each.
The first step is to send a proposal that demonstrates the applicant’s financial ability to own and operate a cannabis store; describes an electronic system used to track inventory, record sales to customers and generates reports like the ones needed for taxes; and declares the people behind the proposal.
If the applicant is in a city like Melfort, they have to also send $6,000, with $5,000 of it refundable if the proposal isn’t successful. For a town like Tisdale or Nipawin, they have to send $4,500, with $3,500 refundable. Applications are due April 10.
After that, the second step is a lottery that selects one of the proposals that meets the provincial government’s requirements at random.
The winner of the lottery can then go to the third step: apply to the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority for a cannabis retail store permit within 45 days after learning they’ve won. The applicant must have a store open within 12 months of the province’s cannabis control legislation coming into effect.
While federal and provincial regulations have yet to be completed in full, to get a permit, the winner must be of good character, confirmed by a criminal record and credit check.
The store must be a standalone business, selling nothing but cannabis products and accessories. It must be open a minimum of six hours per day, five days a week. It must not be accessible to minors. Delivery service is allowed, but drive-ins are not. A security system is required.
The province also announced cannabis cannot be consumed in public, the minimum age for non-medical cannabis is 19 years of age, and any possession of cannabis by a minor is prohibited.
