The Alberta government will issue 10 new retail cannabis licences due to a “modest improvement” in the province’s supply availability, though the amount is not yet stable enough to re-open the licensing process, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) said late on Friday.
AGLC, the sole wholesaler of recreational marijuana in the province, is in discussions with an additional 12 licensed producers from across Canada, it said.
“After seeing a modest improvement in supply over the last few weeks, we are confident the inventory can accommodate an additional 10 retail locations,” said Alain Maisonneuve, AGLC president and chief executive.
AGLC placed a moratorium of new retail cannabis licences in November due to the national supply shortage, in an effort to ensure the 65 outlets already open in Alberta will be able to stock their stores.
This will bring the number of licensed retail cannabis stores in Alberta to 75.
“Issuing a limited number of new licences still effectively manages the cannabis supply shortage by ensuring there is sufficient inventory available for current retailers, while allowing some applicants in the queue to open their stores,” AGLC said in a statement.
The new licences will be granted to the first 10 applicants in the existing queue to have met all licensing conditions after the freeze was put in place two months ago, AGLC said.