Alberta says it won’t be issuing any new retail cannabis licences until further notice due to a national supply shortage.
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis commission says it ordered enough supply to stock 250 retail stores for the first six months of legalization.
President Alain Maisonneuve says only about 20 per cent of that order has come in.
He says some licensed producers have not fulfilled their commitments and most cannabis products are running out.
Maisonneuve says the commission won’t accept any new applications for a cannabis retail licence either.
Applicants already in the queue will receive a full refund of all fees if they want to withdraw their requests.
The commission says supply has been a concern since recreational cannabis was legalized Oct. 17.
“This has been the case in Alberta and across Canada,” Maisonneuve said in a statement Wednesday. “Unfortunately, regardless of our efforts, we are seeing the supply of most products run out.”
Alberta’s priority is on stocking private retailers so they will get the majority of “our scarce inventory,” he said.
“We will still maintain some online product to allow consumers in communities where there are not any retail stores to purchase online.”
Maisonneuve said the commission will continue to work with licensed producers and current retailers to manage the shortage.
“I thank everyone for their continued patience while we work through the national shortage of legal cannabis.”
Source: Financial Post
