How Provinces are Planning to Sell and Distribute Legalized Marijuana

With the legalization of marijuana looming in Canada, provinces have been actively coming up with their own plans for selling and distribution. While not all provinces have announced their plans, the map below demonstrates a mix of approaches from those who have decided. So far, government run distribution seems to be in the lead. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues as the remaining provinces continue to roll out their plans.

Here are the plans so far:

Ontario

Ontario is another one of the provinces so far to announce a government run distribution approach. Marijuana will be sold in stand alone stores run by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) and online.

Quebec

Quebec has announced that marijuana will be sold and distributed via government stores. Their plan is to open 15 physical stores, which will be run by Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQC).

British Columbia

British Columbia has not officially announced their plans, however Premier John Horgan has indicated an interest in the hybrid model which would involve both private and government run stores selling marijuana.

Alberta

Alberta has unveiled hybrid plans for selling and distributing marijuana. Their plan is for the government to control online sales and the private sector to operate retail locations.

Yukon

Yukon has indicated that the government will control the sales and distribution of marijuana. Their proposal also reveals that the legal age will be 19.

Manitoba

The Manitoba government has indicated they will roll out a hybrid model. Wherein, the private sector will be responsible for selling the marijuana and the government will regulate the distribution. Specifically, the Liquor and Gaming Authority (LGA) will be responsible for regulating the purchasing, storage, distribution and retail of marijuana. The Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation (MBLL) will be responsible for securing and tracking marijuana sold in Manitoba.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick has also announced plans to regulate marijuana distribution through the government. They intend to establish 20 stand-alone, government-run stores.

Nunavut

Nunavut has not yet revealed plans for selling and distribution.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has yet to reveal their plans, however similar to Northwest Territories, they are also reaching out to the public for feedback.

Northwest Territories

While no official decisions have been made in Northwest Territories, the government is seeking public feedback to gather opinions on legal age and restrictions for smoking marijuana in public places.

Newfoundland

Newfoundland has not yet revealed a plan for distribution but is also considering feedback from the public.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia plans to reveal their approach by the end of the year and is looking to adapt similar proposals to surrounding provinces.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island aims to reveal their plan next spring. Similar to other undecided provinces, they are also seeking public feedback.