Cannabis in Liquor Stores

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Why is the GNWT allowing co-location of liquor and cannabis sales?

The federal task force investigating the possibility of legalizing cannabis recommended that liquor and cannabis sales not be in the same store wherever possible. They did recognize that it may not be possible to separate sales in some remote and rural areas, and recommended that where there is co-location, appropriate safeguards be put in place.

With the short time frame to legalization, the NWT Liquor Commission will draw upon the existing retail infrastructure to accommodate the sale of cannabis in a regulated environment as of legalization day. The Cannabis Products Act allows for the establishment of private cannabis retailers in communities across the NWT, provided that these retailers meet a set of established criteria.  These criteria will be finalized by December 2018, or sooner. Once the criteria has been developed, private retailers will be able to apply for a license to sell cannabis legally.

Some of the measures that will be put in place to discourage co-consumption of cannabis and alcohol and/or advising customers of the risks, will include, but not be limited to:

  • Requiring customers to request cannabis products directly from the cashier.
  • In-store signage advising customers of the risks of co-consumption.
  • Federally-designed packaging will likely include warnings, such as advice against co-consumption.
  • Payment will be rendered before cannabis is shipped.
  • Each order is packaged and sent individually and sent to the purchaser by common carrier at the address provided on the identification provided by the purchaser.
  • The purchaser must sign that received shipment.
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How will the GNWT address the public health challenge of co-locating?

The federal task force investigating the possibility of legalizing cannabis recommended that liquor and cannabis sales not be in the same store wherever possible. They did recognize that it may not be possible in some remote and rural areas and recommended that where there is co-location, appropriate safeguards are put in place.

  • The Department of Health and Social Services will be placing signage in stores where cannabis will be sold advising customers of the risks of co-consumption.
  • The Department of Finance is putting additional measures in place to discourage co-consumption of cannabis and alcohol, and/or advising customers of the risks.

 

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