The companies that will make up the first crop of marijuana retail sale in Saskatchewan have been announced.
In total, 51 permits have been issued for operators to run retail marijuana stores once the substance is legalized.
Almost none of the permits have been issued for northern communities – only four have been issued for communities north of Prince Albert. However, one company from northeast Saskatchewan is getting involved.
Three permits have been awarded to Synergy Five Investments, a conglomerate of five First Nations organizations. The Peter Ballantyne Group of Companies is one of the firms that makes up the group.
Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) was on the Saskatchewan government’s initial list of communities where permits for marijuana sale would be considered earlier this year. No permits were issued for PBCN on the official shortlist released by SLGA on April 20.
Synergy Five Investments received operation permits for North Battleford, Warman and Yorkton.
Permits were not issued for any community with a population of less than 2,500, barring communities like Creighton and Denare Beach from allowing marijuana retail operations.
A Creighton or Denare Beach resident interested in buying marijuana post-legalization would have to travel 310 kilometres for the closest in-province location in La Ronge. The retail store permit for La Ronge has been issued to Aura Cannabis Inc.
Two locations have been approved for Prince Albert, both with Saskatoon-based owners. Retail locations have also been approved for Melfort, Tisdale, La Loche and Meadow Lake.
Each successful applicant has 45 days from the announcement to begin pursuing further permitting and must have an actual retail location open within a year of legalization.
