As of yesterday afternoon, the provincial government is now accepting licence applications from private cannabis retailers looking to sell non-medical cannabis in the province.
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) released its application materials and guidelines online. Applicants must be at least 19 years old, and be either an individual (sole proprietor), partnership, corporation, society, or Indigenous nation.
Federally licensed producers are not eligible for a retail store licence, though that may change in the future.
“In addition, cannabis retail stores with a close financial, business or family connection to a producer or processor may not be allowed to sell the producer’s or processor’s products,” the guidelines state.
The B.C. government has previously said that the province will support a public/private mix for cannabis retailers in the province, similar to how liquor is sold currently.
Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, told Victoria Buzz in April that any current retailers who wish to sell recreational cannabis will have to apply and obtain licensing to do so.
Cannabis will be fully legalized in Canada on Oct. 17, 2018.
