Medicine Hat, AB – Over 630 cannabis stores are awaiting their retailer licence from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).
A freeze on licences was put in place in November, following a national shortage of cannabis.
One store awaiting approval is Green Light Cannabis in the Box Springs Business Park here in Medicine Hat.
Co-founder Brett Horrocks says he understands and respects the AGLC’s freeze, but they haven’t provided him with much information on when he might receive his licence.
“We kind of figured the first few years would be a trial and error type of thing,” explained Horrocks. “We understood where they were coming from. It’s kind of a bummer, but it is what it is.”
This business venture for Horrocks started back in April and after signing his lease in June, he says his establishment would’ve been ready to start selling cannabis on the day of legalization..if they had their licence and products to sell.
“We’ve got our security cameras and computers set up, so basically everything is good to go. We will be getting cases for some paraphernalia and stuff like that. As of right now, we’re just holding off on stuff like that.”
Horrocks says although it’s been a long process, he hasn’t been bogged down by frustration.
“It’s alright with us. We understand there’s a shortage and we don’t want to take away from any other businesses. If they get shorted because we’re in here and they get cut a little bit less, we wouldn’t get as much either.”
After a hefty investment into this new business and renting out a building for a couple months, Horrocks says it’s tough, but they’re committed to making this work.
“All I can say is we’re doing good and we will pay the bills and everything. We’re just going to stick with it. We’ll ride this wave for as long as it takes. We will be open one day.”
Unfortunately for Horrocks, the AGLC says they signed four new agreements with licensed cannabis producers however, the stock isn’t stable enough to justify granting new licences at this point.
“We have a total of 19 producers now,” explained AGLC Senior Communications Officer, Chara Gooding. “We’re just going to have to continue to monitor if they’re going to be able to provide more and if that’s going to be enough to open more locations.”
Goodings says if the freeze were to relax and more locations opened, it could hurt the businesses already in operation.
“We also have to make sure if we open the licence process, that the exisiting locations aren’t going to suffer. They have to be sustainable.”
