The provincial government has announced the cannabis retailers for Saskatchewan.
The lone retailer for Estevan will be Prairie Sky Cannabis Inc., operated by David Thomas. A press release for the provincial government described it as a “Saskatchewan business operator.”
Prairie Sky Cannabis was also selected to operate retail stores in Battleford, Martensville and Moosomin.
“This represents the next step in the process of having a privately-operated cannabis retail system carefully regulated by SLGA,” said Gene Makowsky, the minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA). “There was a lot of interest in the public request for proposal process, resulting in many new businesses that will invest in our province.”
A total of 51 retailers for Saskatchewan were announced by the government on Friday.
The successful proponents were selected through a two phase request for proposal (RFP) process that began in March. The first phase involved a screening for qualifications focused on financial and sales and inventory tracking systems. All those that qualified entered the second phase of the process which was a lottery draw to select the successful operators.
KPMG was engaged to provide oversight and monitor the entire RFP process.
The successful proponents have 45 days to begin the permitting process. As a condition of their permit, retail cannabis permittees must be operating within 12 months of legalization. Permits will not take effect until legalization occurs, which is expected to happen later this year.
Cannabis retail stores must be standalone operations, selling only cannabis, cannabis accessories and ancillary items as defined by SLGA. Alcohol sales will not be permitted in cannabis stores. Cannabis retail locations are subject to local municipal zoning bylaws.
Estevan was allocated two retail locations by SLGA early this year, but Estevan city council, acting on a recommendation from the Estevan board of police commissioners, decided to apply for just one.
City council has also approved the new cannabis sales bylaw.
