When Nanaimo鈥檚 first provincially run cannabis store opens today it will become the 20th sa国际传媒 Cannabis Store in the province.
It鈥檚 also the third sa国际传媒 store to open this month, following ones in Prince George and Vanderhoof.
Nanaimo is already home to privately owned cannabis stores, but this will be the first sa国际传媒 Cannabis Store.
The 2,851-square-foot store at #2-6683 Mary Ellen Dr. in the north end of Nanaimo will have 10 to 12 staffers. Products include edibles, extracts, topicals, dried cannabis flower, oils, capsules and pre-rolls.
鈥淲hile we continue to fight COVID-19, we are committed to following through on our plan to roll out our network of stores following safety protocols and eliminate the illicit cannabis market,鈥� Kevin Satterfield, director of retail operations for cannabis with the Liquor Distribution Branch, said in a statement.
鈥渟a国际传媒 Cannabis Stores is also looking forward to meeting our neighbours and customers, as we begin a long tenure in the community.鈥�
The store will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and most statutory holidays, including sa国际传媒 Day.
Physical distancing measures will be enforced, and all common surfaces will be cleaned frequently.
Vancouver Island already has sa国际传媒 Cannabis stores in Campbell River, Courtenay, Parksville and Port Alberni.
Saanich council voted last month in favour of what will be the capital region鈥檚 first provincial cannabis store. Plans call for it to open early next year at Uptown shopping centre.
