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UPDATE: Province announces winners of marijuana retail lottery

Jun 1, 2018 | 10:45 AM

The smoke has cleared around who will sell cannabis in the province once it is legalized.

Of the 51 successful applicants, more than two-thirds are from Saskatchewan or have operations in the province, according to a release from the government Friday.

“This represents the next step in the process of having a privately-operated cannabis retail system carefully regulated by SLGA,” Gene Makowsky, the minister responsible for SLGA said in a statement. “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 list of winners includes a mix of private business owners and entrepreneurs, federally licensed cannabis producers and retailers alongside a handful of First Nations. Over 1,500 parties expressed interest in the permits.

The successful applicants were selected through a two-phase process that began in March. The first phase involved a screening for qualifications focused on financial, and sales and inventory tracking systems. 

Those who secured permits will now have 45 days to begin the permitting process. Each must be prepared to operate within 12 months of legalization, expected later this year.

Prince Albert had 101 submissions for its two available permits. Both went to Saskatoon-based business owners and entrepreneurs. Retail cannabis locations will be subject to municipal zoning laws.

Below is a full list of successful applicants:

Jim Southam, the president and CEO of Prairie Cannabis, won one of the city’s permits. He said he was “thrilled” and “elated” to be given the opportunity to serve Prince Albert and the surrounding area in the budding cannabis industry.

He said he plans to have his doors open on day one of legalization. Going forward, Southam said education will be paramount, noting he plans to engage with city officials and the Prince Albert Police Service to ensure a smooth transition and highlight the benefits of legal cannabis.

“I know there are still many people in communities across the country that have reservations about cannabis legalization,” he said. “We are going to do everything we can to get information and education out to the public and try to reassure them the sky is not going to come falling down once legalization occurs.”

He said cannabis consumption is “quite individualized” and the wide array of products and strains can be daunting, especially for first-time consumers.

“We want to inform them and help them make good choices and how to use it responsibly and effectively,” he added.

Southam founded the company and has been preparing to enter the cannabis industry for the last 3.5 years.

 

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 11:35 a.m. on Friday, June 1, 2018, to add comment from Southam.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr