AGLC freezes new cannabis retail licences, due to supply shortage

EDMONTON – Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (AGLC) is suspending new retail cannabis licences, due to an ongoing supply shortage.

The provincial government agency said in a statement Wednesday, Nov. 21 that supplies remain a concern in Alberta and across the country. It said AGLC ordered enough product to supply 250 stores for six months but had only received around one-fifth of that supply as of Nov. 17.

“While some licensed producers have fulfilled their commitments, not all have. We continue to work with them to fill stock. Unfortunately, regardless of our efforts, we are seeing the supply of most products run out,” president and CEO Alain Maisonneuve said in the statement. He added they were having no success in trying to get more product from licensed producers.

In the meantime, most of the available supply will be supplied to private retailers, but there will still be some cannabis products available online, mainly for the benefit of communities without retail stores.