Additional Retail Licenses Released

May 30th, 2019 brought welcome news to Albertans when the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) released a notice that the hold on the issuing retail cannabis licences had been lifted.

This news, along with the announcement that the AGLC would also be accepting new applications for retail licences, came after a marked increase in supply from the 26 federally licensed producers that the AGLC has contracts with.^[1]

This was positive news after months of uncertainty. In November 2018, the AGLC President and CEO announced a shortage in supply and suspended all applications and the issuance of any new licences.^[2] While a more recent announcement in January 2019, had promised ten more applications be approved, there had been little improvement to the overall backlog.^[3]

So where is the backlog at?

The AGLC announced that they intend to issue five new licences a week, while monitoring supply to ensure there is enough to keep all stores well supplied. That said, as of May 29th, 2019 there are approximately 473 applications pending for new locations, and an additional 115 approved but still awaiting licensing. It may not be the perfect solution to the licensing backlog but at least there is some movement.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of the lawyers in our Cannabis Law group.

For more information on Cannabis sales in Alberta or updates on the licensing process, you can visit the AGLC website.

^[1]AGLC, Retail cannabis license moratorium lifted (May 30, 2019).

^[2]AGLC, Statement from AGLC President and CEO (November 21, 2018). 

^[3]AGLC, Improvements in Alberta's cannabis supply (January 25, 2019).