Retail Cannabis Store Handbook
Policies
- Retail cannabis store licence applications are subject to review and approval by AGLC.
- When reviewing applications, AGLC considers:
- the appropriateness of the proposed premises;
- the applicant’s eligibility;
- compliance with municipal requirements; and
- the expressed views of the local community.
- If AGLC does not support a licence application due to operational problems, operational style changes or major structural changes to the premises made by the applicant, the application will be referred to the Board for decision.
- If a licence expires, the licensee must stop cannabis service until a new licence is issued.
Reasons for Licence Refusal
- AGLC may refuse to issue a cannabis licence if the applicant, any of the applicant’s employees, any of the applicant’s associates or any person associated with the applicant fails to pass a records check (see Subsection 2.2.6).
- A person will fail to pass a records check if the person has:
- at any time been charged with or convicted of:
- an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada), the Excise Act (Canada), the Food and Drugs Act (Canada) or the Income Tax Act (Canada); or
- an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada), other than under Section 4(1) of that Act for possession of any substance included in Schedule II to that Act, or
- an offence under a foreign Act or regulation that, in the Board’s opinion, is substantially similar to an offence described in Subsection 2.2.6a) i) or ii); and in the opinion of the Board, the offence is sufficiently serious that it may detract from the integrity of lawful cannabis, gaming, lottery and/or licensed liquor activities in Alberta, or a registration relating to cannabis or liquor; or
- within the five (5) years prior to the application date, been in prison serving a term of three (3) years or more.
- at any time been charged with or convicted of:
- The AGLC may refuse to issue a cannabis licence if satisfied the applicant, any of the applicant’s employees or associates, or any person or entity connected to or associated with the applicant:
- has not acted, or may not act, in accordance with the law, with honesty and integrity or in the public interest, based on their past conduct;
- would be a detriment to the integrity or lawful conduct of cannabis, gaming, liquor activities or provincial lotteries; or
- has a background, reputation and/or associations that may cause adverse publicity for the cannabis, gaming or liquor industry in Alberta.
- AGLC may refuse to issue a cannabis licence if the applicant, any of the applicant’s employees or any person associated with the applicant has contravened:
- the GLCA or the GLCR;
- a predecessor of the GLCA or the GLCR; or
- a condition imposed on a licence or registration issued or made under the GLCA.
- AGLC may also refuse to issue a cannabis licence:
- if the applicant is not eligible to receive the licence; and
- if the requirements of the GLCA, GLCR and Board policies have not been met.
- An application for a retail cannabis store licence will not be approved unless the primary purpose of the retail cannabis store is the sale of cannabis to the general public.
Guidelines
- First‐time applicants should contact AGLC.
- A licensee should first consult this handbook and then contact the AGLC when:
- seeking a new licence;
- seeking an endorsement to an existing licence;
- planning to renovate the premises; or
- planning to relocate.
- Licensees are sent a reminder notice six to eight weeks before their existing licence expires.
- The Board may take into account any of the following factors when making a decision respecting an application for a retail cannabis store:
- the extent and nature of opposition from community members or groups to establishment of a retail cannabis store in a particular location;
- the results of consultations with local authorities about the nature of the primary business of the applicant and the clientele that frequent it.