First anniversary of cannabis legalization marked in Medicine Hat

“It has absolutely been a roller coaster,” she said. “It’s been fun and exciting, but it’s almost been like the wild west. it’s a brand new industry, and just never quite know what to expect.”

Now, one year later, Williams says things have remained steady for the business, with customers new and old returning.

“It has been a broad spectrum of people, there is no normal customer,” she said. “We have everything from your long-term cannabis users from the older generations, we still have brand new people coming in the store every day asking what it’s all about, and wanting to try it out for their very first time. There’s no age, it ranges across the board. It’s really seeming that cannabis is the new normal.”

There are currently 306 stores in Alberta selling cannabis, according to the AGLC’s website, with 11 of those stores located in Medicine Hat. Another two applications for stores in Medicine Hat are pending, according to a list on the AGLC’s website as of October 17.

The year was not without its challenges. In the months after legalization, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) eventually ran into supply problems, prompting them to place a freeze on cannabis licences that were approved.

Healther Holmen with AGLC says the issues have largely been resolved in terms of supply.

“I think one of the opportunities that came out of lifting the moratorium was the fact that we had additional licensed producers that were able to come on board to provide for the Alberta market, she said. “In Alberta, we have 33 licensed producers, and we’re always looking for the opportunity to bring on more producers to bring in product as required.”

Locally, Medicine Hat Police Chief Andy McGrogan says the year since cannabis was legalized has been “uneventful.”

He says since cannabis became legal, police have charged eight drivers from driving while impaired by cannabis.

“We really didn’t think it was going to change the landscape much, and it really hasn’t,” he said. “Even personally, I can tell you by walking the streets of Medicine Hat, I don’t smell cannabis more than I used to. It seems to really have been a non-event.”

This year, the federal government has legalized cannabis-infused products, such as edibles and infused beverages, which Williams say will be sold at Green Exchange.

However, she says people should not expect to see edibles on the shelf for at least a few months.

“The government is saying 60 days would be the shortest amount of time,” she said. “I think we’re looking more towards 90 to plus days, just to ensure the products are right, and that they will be safe for all customers to consume.”

McGrogan says police will be keeping an eye in edibles once they hit the market, saying his concerns are related to public safety.

“My concern is, as I said, people that didn’t smoke, or who don’t smoke, are not going to start smoking pot, but they might start using the edibles and trying them,” he said. “I guess the big caution is consuming and driving. That’s where we have to be really careful, and the other thing is the accessibility to kids.”

According to Health Canada, edibles for sale are limited to 10 milligrams of THC, and cannabis cannot be combined with certain products, such as alcohol or nicotine. Cannabis cooking is also not allowed in restaurants.

Packaging needs to be child resistant, plain and display the cannabis symbol.

by Charles Lefebvre

First anniversary of cannabis legalization marked in Medicine Hat

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