NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT, Patrons line up in front of the Green Exchange, on South Railway Street in Medicine Hat, about half hour ahead of its 10 a.m. opening on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. The location was among 17 in Alberta to be fully licensed and stocked today as the federal prohibition on cannabis sales was lifted.
Cannabis stores in Medicine Hat and across Alberta are open for business.
A crowd of about 12 patrons lined up in front of the Green Exchange in Medicine Hat ahead of a 10 a.m. opening for sales of pot.
One patron drove down from Calgary to be assured an early spot in line, as opposed to going to a store the major city where only two locations are licensed on day one.
“I wanted to be part of history,” said “Dave” who didn’t provide a last name, saying he called in sick from work to take part.
He says he’s smoked pot for about 45 years, more in younger days but now only partakes “about once a year” when he’s on vacation.
“I like go fishing and listen to George Thorogood,” he said. “But it will be years before it’s socially acceptable.”
After decades of prohibition and two years of debate about ending criminal restrictions and how the emerging sector would handle demand, marijuana became legal for adults to use, purchase and posses on Oct. 17.
Another man who stood in line early on Wednesday was Cecil Sparrow.
“I think it’s great — it’s the way it should have been done 20 years ago,” he said. “I really want to smoke legal weed. That’s the honest answer.”
The owners of Medicine Hat’s three provincially licensed outlets were expecting busy sales on Wednesday.
Online sales for Alberta’s provincial retails began at midnight, Mountain time, but Newfoundlanders were among the first Canadians who could buy retail marijuana.
One Hatter, who waited outside Westside Weed on the 900 Block of South Railway Street, said he planned to order online today, but when he saw a relatively short lineup, decided to join in.
“I thought I’d come down and celebrate,” said Coady Bustin. “My consumption won’t change, and I don’t think it will for most people. What it (legalization) does is it means that people won’t have to sneak around clandestinely to get it.”
Lethbridge man Austin Monoughney said he drove 90 minutes from that city, where currently no stores are licensed, to check out the stores and purchase some product for he girlfriend who takes cannabis to control epilepsy.
The AGLC has said that beyond 17 interim retail licenses awarded in early October, about 100 permits could be approved by the end of the month.
City of Medicine Hat planning officials have approved 14 applications, but operators need further provincial approval to acquire regulated product and retail it.
