The Alberta government has given access to recreational cannabis and announced it is legal for adults over the age of 18. It has also introduced a framework for regulating the recreational use of cannabis in the province.
Since the legalization of cannabis, Alberta has been at the forefront of the expansion of private retail businesses of cannabis. Before the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) will grant a retail cannabis license, all potential applicants for retail stores must first gain permission from the municipality in which the business would be located.
This post will provide details about the recreational use of cannabis and related laws. Furthermore, it will also shed a line on retail cannabis store licenses in the province.
Is Cannabis Legal in Alberta?
Alberta is the first province to take steps toward legalizing recreational cannabis. The Alberta Cannabis Framework was introduced on October 3, 2018. It is the first legislation of its kind in Canada to regulate the distribution, sale, and consumption of recreational cannabis.
In Alberta, it is legal to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis in public and grow up to four plants per household. Adults can also share up to 30 grams with other adults without paying any provincial or territorial taxes.
How To Get Alberta Cannabis Retail License?
Recreational use of cannabis in Alberta is already legalized. Now is the time to know you should also know how to get an Alberta Cannabis retail license if you want to start your journey as a cannabis seller in Alberta.
The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) oversees policing private retail sales of cannabis for recreational purposes, as well as retail applications and cannabis distribution. The AGLC also runs Alberta’s sole licensed online recreational marijuana retailer. People who want to grow their own medical marijuana for personal use will need to get a permit or license from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC).
To sell cannabis in Alberta, companies, groups, and people must get a retail cannabis license. Applicants who wish to apply for a retail cannabis license must submit to a thorough background investigation and provide substantial personal and financial information.
Prerequisites for getting a retail cannabis store license
To engage in the retail sale of cannabis in Alberta, all individuals, businesses, and organizations must first get a cannabis retail license. The following is the prerequisites for getting a retail cannabis store license.
Application requirements
- Background checks
- Municipal approval
- Fees and related expenses
- Business requirements
- retail store requirements
Now, we will explain each point in detail to clear up any confusion. It is essential to understand each point because it is a sensitive matter, and your success depends on it.
Background checks
The Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) will conduct a thorough background check. The applicant, the applicant’s associates, and the applicant’s key personnel will all be subjected to a comprehensive personal and financial background investigation.
Background checks are essential to prevent any criminal organization or individual from getting recreational cannabis licenses. Preventing criminal organizations, individuals, or organizations associated with the criminal activity from operating, interacting with, or having a financial interest in retail cannabis sales is important otherwise they will misuse the license.
People who have influence or control over day-to-day operations or decision-making, as well as those who have the power to recruit or fire cannabis workers, are examples of important employees of the application that need to have their backgrounds checked.
Municipal approval
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) will not issue a retail cannabis store license until the approval from Municipal.
Contact the municipality for requirements related to:
- Retail cannabis store business licenses
- Zoning requirements
- Land-use restriction
A retail cannabis store should not be within 100 meters of the following points:
- A health care facility
- A school
- A land designated as a school reserve
Alberta Cannabis Fee and related expenses
Recreational cannabis licenses are costly. You should evaluate everything in advance and then proceed further.
Following is the fee structure for obtaining a retail license.
- $400 non-refundable application fee for each store location
- $700 annual license fee
- $3,000 initial deposit required for background checks; additional expenses may apply; AGLC will reimburse any portion of the deposit that is not utilized
Business requirements
The licensing process for cannabis firms is made more difficult by the extensive amount of regulation that is placed on the cannabis sector. Not only can compliance standards differ from one state to the next, but they might also alter based on the kind of company you run as well as the city or county in which you want to conduct operations.
- Be formed in Alberta or be registered to do business in Alberta as an extra-provincial entity.
- Be independent of any other company and must solely operate for the purpose of serving customers Looking to purchase cannabis for personal use.
- Have a lease or title certificate that has been signed.
Alberta Cannabis Retail Store Requirements
Alberta has strict laws for the regulation of cannabis. A retail license is provided to applicants who meet all the requirements. One of the most important parts is the retail store requirements. If will operate from your shop and it is essential that you have a secure shop along with all the relevant points.
Following are the points one must follow in Alberta to get a recreational cannabis license.
- A separate area for shipping and receiving the products.
- A point-of-sale area
- Storage area for secure storage of products
- An alarm system in case of any emergency
- An efficient video surveillance system
- A safe display
Conclusion
As you can see, it is not easy to get a recreational cannabis license in Alberta even if you are eligible and be able to fulfill all prerequisites. It is a lengthy, costly, and risky process that will take your time, effort, and money. Furthermore, you must follow strict guidelines to get an Alberta cannabis license for your retail store.
