British Columbia’s early sales of legal cannabis lagged neighbouring Alberta due to a slow rollout of legitimate retail and the inability to curb the illicit market in the province, according a new research report.
In his report, Adams wrote that legal retail outlets at the outset of legalization constitute “a drop in the proverbial bucket compared to the hundreds of ‘grey’ market unlicensed stores,” mostly in B.C. and Ontario. B.C.’s legal cannabis market will swell to $722 million in annual sales in an overall $5.2-billion legal Canadian market by 2024, with $708 million of that coming from the recreational side, according to Arcview. But that will depend on access to product.
On Dec. 13, B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson ordered the unlicensed shops to shut down and backed the City of Vancouver’s position that it has the authority to license and zone for the businesses. Larsen, who runs The Dispensary, with locations on Thurlow Street in the West End and on East Hastings Street, said the city has sent warning letters to his landlords about allowing the unlicensed businesses.