While Rocky View County council continues to determine how best to regulate recreational cannabis in the community once its use is legalized Oct. 17, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) has finished its work to put contracts for distribution and warehousing in place, according to a July 5 release. “The AGLC is committed to providing the Alberta market with access to federally-regulated cannabis in a safe and fiscally-responsible manner, while helping to shrink the illicit market,” said Niaz Nejad, chief operating officer and vice president, Gaming and Cannabis, AGLC. “We are confident that those we are working with will help us fulfil our responsibilities to Albertans.” The recreational use, production and sale of cannabis will be legal in Canada as of Oct. 17, after Bill C-45 was passed in the Senate June 20. In Alberta, anyone 18 years of age or older will then be allowed to possess and consume cannabis, but there will be restrictions on where residents can consume the drug. The province has given municipalities latitude to determine where and how cannabis can be sold and consumed locally. Warehousing and distribution will be done by the same company the AGLC uses for liquor wholesales – Connect Logistics Services. According to Chara Goodings, AGLC senior communications officer, cannabis purchased online from albertacannabis.org will be delivered via Canada Post or Purolator. Ensuring the drug gets to the purchaser directly, consumers will be required to provide proof of age when registering with the site, and provide photo identification when the product is delivered. Cannabis producers are licensed by the federal government; however, provinces are responsible for distribution and warehousing. The AGLC issued an “expression of interest” request, which closed in February. Of the 31 companies that responded, 13 were chosen, with the majority located in Ontario. "The expression of interest indicated mandatory requirements for licensed producers pursuing the Alberta market," Goodings said. "Included were items such as the requirement to be federally licensed (through Health Canada) to both produce and sell cannabis, and have product available for July 1, 2018." Aurora is the only Alberta-based producer currently selected to provide cannabis to Alberta consumers, according to Goodings. “We look forward to working with more Alberta-based producers as more become federally licensed through Health Canada,” she said.
