Alberta cannabis retailers ready to roll with online sales
Online cannabis sales in Alberta are set to change next month with the only current legal seller closing down.
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) operates the sole legal online retailer in the province -- AlbertaCannabis.org -- but the site is closing shop on March 8.
"Licensed cannabis retailers in Alberta will be able to offer online sales of cannabis products. Licensed cannabis retailers will continue to offer choices in legal, high-quality products for consumers," reads the AGLC website.
Alberta currently has 748 licensed cannabis retailers, 194 of which are in Calgary.
The government website only brought in about $200,000 in cannabis sales annually, but there's a sizeable black market of unlicensed online sellers. Retailers hope the move to privatize online sales will help weed out bad actors.
"We have seen the illicit market's total share of cannabis sales in Canada go down from about 87 per cent three years ago to just under 50 per cent today," said Omar Khan with High Tide Inc.
The company operates more than 50 Canna Cabana stores in the province and plan to have the online market up and running in Calgary and Edmonton right away.
"Fifty per cent is still representative of a resilient illicit market," he said.
Licensed Alberta retailers will have to apply to AGLC for approval to sell online and will need to meet delivery and age verification regulations from the province.
"In Alberta, in advance of being able to access the website, the consumer will have to verify their age. Not just through self attestation but through something stronger than that," Khan said.
The shut down of the government cannabis selling site comes after legislation was passed in November to allow private retailers into the online market. At the time, Finance Minister Travis Toews said the change "would have the real potential to displace some of the illicit trade that takes place now."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.
Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Trump campaign's 'eyes and ears' during 2016 race
A veteran tabloid publisher testified Tuesday that he pledged to be Donald Trump 's 'eyes and ears' during his 2016 presidential campaign, recounting how he promised the then-candidate that he would help suppress stories that had the potential to harm the Republican's election bid.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Edmonton
-
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
-
Pride flag stolen from St. Albert home
St. Albert RCMP are searching for the person who was caught on camera tearing down and stealing a Pride flag from a home in the Lacombe subdivision.
-
Hyman, McDavid lead Oilers to 7-4 playoff win over Kings
For once the Edmonton Oilers won’t have to dig themselves out of a hole to start the NHL playoffs.
Lethbridge
-
Southern Alberta woman wins $2M on Western 6-49 lottery
A southern Alberta woman says she began to hyperventilate when she realized she had won $2 million.
-
Lethbridge green cart program a success one year in, city says
The City of Lethbridge is calling the first year of its curbside organics waste collection program a success.
-
Coaldale RCMP seek information on hit-and-run
Coaldale RCMP are looking for the public's help to locate a suspect in a hit-and-run in a McDonald's parking lot earlier this month.
Vancouver
-
Body found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers: RCMP
Mounties in British Columbia say United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers near Vancouver Island have recovered a body in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
-
'Do the right thing': Surrey RCMP ask hit-and-run driver to come forward
Police in Surrey are asking the person who was behind the wheel of a grey pickup truck that struck a pedestrian and fled the scene on Sunday to come forward. They're also seeking witnesses to the hit-and-run collision.
-
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Vancouver Island
-
Body found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers: RCMP
Mounties in British Columbia say United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers near Vancouver Island have recovered a body in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
-
Police release details about suspect vehicle after fatal B.C. hit-and-run crash
Mounties searching for a driver who struck and killed a woman on Vancouver Island last week released new details about the suspect vehicle Monday.
-
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. broker says halal mortgages are not a new concept in Canada
A Saskatoon mortgage broker says the federal government’s move to help Muslim Canadians get into the housing market by promoting halal mortgages is not such a radical idea — it’s helping families buy their first home without breaking their faith.
-
Sask. driver caught using vice grips in place of steering wheel
A driver caught using vice grips in place of a steering wheel was ticketed Wednesday after being stopped by police on a rural road.
-
Saskatchewan Rush look to 'better mentality next year' as they miss playoffs again
The Saskatchewan Rush are absent from the National Lacrosse League playoffs for a third straight season, a difficult end to an postseason push born out of a rocky start.
Regina
-
One year after fatal collision, Regina council has final say on lower speed limit in Cathedral
Regina city councillors are set to consider lowering the speed limit in the Cathedral neighbourhood to 30 kilometres per hour on Wednesday.
-
Sask. NDP leader combats claims of carbon tax support following Ottawa visit
Members of the Sask. Party claim a recent trip by the leader of the opposition reveals her party's secret support for the federal carbon tax.
-
Sask. NDP call for education minister's firing, premier reconfirms confidence
The Saskatchewan NDP are calling for the resignation or firing of Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill, saying he lied about apologizing for comments he made to a mother whose daughter died.
Toronto
-
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
-
Toronto's police chief clarifies initial statement on Umar Zameer acquittal, says he 'accepts' jury's finding
Toronto's Chief of Police has clarified a statement that he'd hoped for "a different outcome" made just after Umar's Zameer acquittal, telling reporters Tuesday he supports and accepts the jury's finding in the five-week trial.
-
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Montreal
-
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
-
Province won't have to cover meal, alcohol costs of L.A. Kings games in Quebec City
The Quebec government will not have to cover the cost of meals and alcohol for Los Angeles Kings players coming to Quebec City for two exhibition games this fall.
-
Thieves allegedly attempt to steal thousands of litres of gasoline in Brossard
Two thieves allegedly attempted to steal 'thousands' of litres of gasoline from a Brossard service station.
Atlantic
-
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.
-
Rain, showers, late April snow expected in the Maritimes on Wednesday
A weather front from the west and a low-pressure system over the Atlantic will bring a mixture of rain, showers, and even a touch of late April snow to the Maritimes on Wednesday.
-
Youth dead, two suspects in custody following incident near Halifax Shopping Centre: police
A male youth has died after an incident near the Halifax Shopping Centre on Monday.
Winnipeg
-
Whiteout Street Party to bring road closures, transit reroutes
With the Whiteout Street Party taking place on Donald Street, several road closures will be put in place.
-
'Never seen this before': Homes in Manitoba community damaged by ice wall
Homeowners in a Manitoba community are cleaning up after being impacted by a natural phenomenon last week.
-
'It's bittersweet': Popular St. Boniface restaurant set to close its doors
Marion Street Eatery is set to close its doors for good after over a decade serving up steaming plates of eggs benedict, grilled cheese and brisket hash.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa murder suspect on list of Canada's top 25 most wanted criminals
A Toronto man wanted in connection to a double homicide at an Ottawa shopping centre has been named one of the top 25 most wanted criminals in Canada.
-
Here's where a new bowling alley is opening in Kanata
Bowlers will soon have a spot to throw strikes in Ottawa's west end. Oakville-based Splitsville has announced plans to open a location at the Kanata Centrum in the fall.
-
Car owner injured after stopping thieves from stealing vehicle in Hawkesbury, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating after a vehicle owner intercepted thieves trying to steal their car and suffered "potentially serious injuries."
Northern Ontario
-
BREAKINGBREAKING North Bay doctor accused of assaulting patient, threatening another
A North Bay doctor is facing charges after allegedly assaulting a patient with a weapon and threatening another person at the hospital, police say.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING 'Armed and dangerous' southern Ont. man wanted by Manitoulin police
Police on Manitoulin Island are looking for an 'armed and dangerous' man following an incident involving a firearm on Friday.
-
One dead after ATV crash in Sault Ste. Marie
A 34-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie has died following a serious crash involving an ATV on Monday afternoon, police say.
Barrie
-
Distressed elderly man rescued from marina
An elderly man was hauled from the water Sunday evening after plunging into a marina and struggling to stay afloat.
-
Forest collision leads to impaired driving charges
Police laid impaired driving charges following a single-vehicle collision into the forest in Tiny Township on Monday night.
-
Southlake welcomes revolutionary cancer care technology
This Cancer Awareness Month, Southlake in Newmarket is introducing innovative cancer care technology to help diagnose and treat women's cancer in the community.
Kitchener
-
$50,000 reward issued for Kitchener man’s alleged killer
Habiton Solomon is wanted in the fatal 2023 shooting of Joshua Tarnue in Kitchener.
-
2,500 homes and businesses lose power in Kitchener
The outage, which is impacting the Chicopee and Pioneer Tower West neighbourhoods, started around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday.
-
Conestoga College hiring a group of 'lamb-scapers'
Conestoga says it’s the first college or university in Ontario to use sheep to maintain vegetation on campus.
London
-
Clinton man with Down syndrome reported missing, found by 'Project Lifesaver'
Brian Gray-Hicks likes to be active, and goes for daily walks near his home in Clinton.
-
Car fire on Highway 401 sends one person to hospital
The Dutton/Dunwich Fire Department responded to the scene near mile marker 142 between Currie Road and Iona Road, after the vehicle caught fire.
-
Byron’s colony of rare bank swallows facing new threat
Council is be urged to ensure that a plan to redevelop the Byron Gravel Pit also maintains a summer home for its long-time residents — a colony of bank swallows.
Windsor
-
Windsor shooting suspect John Managhan added to Canada’s most wanted list
A Windsor man sought for attempted murder has been named as one of Canada’s most wanted fugitives.
-
'It’s so sad': Six cars involved in early morning crash
Just before 5 a.m., police were called to the scene of the multi-vehicle crash between on Bruce Avenue between Giles Boulevard and Clinton Street.
-
'Strengthen the Core' revitalization plan unveiled by city and police
A new revitalization plan has been unveiled for downtown Windsor.
