Retailers hoping to sell marijuana in Calgary once it becomes legal in the coming months can apply for a permit as the online and in-person application process opened Tuesday morning.
The City of Calgary has not placed a cap on the number of available permits but rules governing the distance between cannabis businesses, as well as the distance between marijuana shops and schools, emergency shelters and daycares, will, in effect, restrict how many shops can open within city limits. Cannabis businesses, which will include retail stores, production facilities and counselling services, cannot operate within 300 metres of each other.
Several people lined up overnight in an attempt to secure a coveted location for the shop. City of Calgary officials allowed the prospective pot shop owners inside the municipal building at 6:00 a.m. and numbers were handed out ahead of the 8:00 a.m. opening.
Justin Woo says he arrived at 6:00 p.m. Monday in an effort to secure the permits for two stores in northwest Calgary and his partners will be attempting to apply online to improve their chances.
"When you have so much invested into the business, it helps to also not only apply online but be there in person," explained Woo. "Because this is a first-in, first-out kind of system, it doesn't hurt to apply both ways."
For additional information on cannabis businesses in Calgary and the application process, visit City of Calgary - Cannabis Businesses
With files from CTV's Kevin Green
