The Weed Pool Cannabis Cooperative has helped independent shops keep their costs down. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

cooperative approach to business

Independent cannabis retailers working together

Apr 20, 2020 | 5:01 PM

The date, 4/20, is a big deal for cannabis advocates, and on this day independent retailers are looking to help others follow in their footsteps.

The Weed Pool Cannabis Cooperative put out the message today that others looking to enter the cannabis retail market know they can turn to the organization for guidance.

The pool is a cooperative owned by independent cannabis retailers in Saskatchewan. The group is made up of nine members who operate stores and there are two who are currently working to get their shops opened. It launched last year as a way for smaller privately owned producers to buy product and supply at a better rate.

Jim Southam, owner of Prairie Cannabis in Prince Albert, is a member of the organization and is also the current president of the pool. He said members have gained valuable experience in their time operating and are interested in sharing what they know.

“We just want to let any entrepreneurs out there know they do have us as a resource,” he said.

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Currently the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) is accepting applications from people interested in opening a store in a community with less than 2,500 people. In September, they will start accepting applications from people interested in opening stores in larger communities.

The pool is now licensed by SLGA as a wholesaler and operates out of Prairie Cannabis in P.A. and another store in Regina. Southam explained members have benefited from being part of the organization by getting better prices. The organization has also worked on better sourcing.

Southam said going forward they are looking to help their members with their mail order business by centralizing operations out of one location. He added during the current COVID-19 situation his business has seen some changes in buying patterns.

“There’s definitely been a marked increase in online sales and home delivery here in Prince Albert,” he said.

Clay Sparks is the founder and CEO of Flower Power Cannabis Pharms, he also holds the license for the cannabis shop in La Loche. Sparks said since the cooperative got started retailers have saved significant sums of money.

“Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars has been saved by volume buying through these suppliers that we’ve got so far,” he said.

Sparks said originally the organization was not taken seriously by some of the large-scale suppliers in the province. He added now that the cooperative’s retailers make up over 50 per cent of all legal sales in Saskatchewan, large suppliers need to do business with them.

“It’s been quite the journey and its coming,” he said.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn