Alberta Agency Doesn’t Have Power to Shut Down Cannabis Shops in Wake Off COVID-19

Article by Emma Spears, Growth Op

Alberta has declared a state of emergency amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but residents will still have access to stores selling alcohol and cannabis.

Although provinces such as Prince Edward Island announced this week that liquor and cannabis stores would be shut down for the duration of the outbreak, along with all services deemed non-essential, Alberta is unlikely to follow suit. And it appears as though the province can’t force them to shut down, at least not yet.

“In Alberta, retail liquor and cannabis stores are independently owned and operated. It is at the discretion of licensees/owners to make decisions that best serve their businesses,” Heather Holmen, manager of communications for Alberta, Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), told Global News.

Regardless, Holmen recommended that Albertans looking to score some bud or some booze call ahead to their licensed retailer of choice before visiting to ensure the store is open and operating under regular hours.

In light of the global pandemic, Premier Jason Kenney has declared a state of emergency across the province in a bid to slow the spread of the highly contagious illness.

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