AGLC’s new pot ordering system aims to reduce shortages

Cannabis stores and their customers struggling with hit-and-miss supply should benefit from a more predictable ordering system for retailers, says the provincial marijuana regulator.

But while a new manual ordering system for pot shops should level the retail playing field by suspending the first-come, first-served ordering process, the market will remain plagued by shortages for the foreseeable future, says Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis and the shop owners they supply.

“We don’t anticipate this will be in the years, but it could be upwards of a year,” said AGLC spokeswoman Heather Holmen.

“We hope it supports more retailers in obtaining product for their operations.”

On Monday, the AGLC electronically sent out an inventory sheet to retailers, who check off what they want and send back their order, which should be filled in seven to 10 business days.

That will occur every Monday and replace the website ordering process that forced retailers to maintain constant vigilance to pounce on whatever product became available online, and often be quickly sold out.

“We were hearing from retailers that product was coming in but that other retailers were getting it sooner … some retailers were vocal about having to have someone monitoring that 24 hours a day,” said Holmen, adding transparency is also enhanced.

“This also gives the ability to see where the orders are coming from and where it’s going.”

But she said the change is an interim solution that should be phased out in favour of the old system when the supply of cannabis from federally licensed producers is greater and more predictable.

After using it once, Calgary cannabis retailer Karen Berry said the new system is an improvement.

“It’s a fair and transparent process, though I’m not convinced it’s levelled the playing field,” said Berry, who operates Beltline Cannabis Calgary at 806 12th Ave. S.W.

“I had developed tendinitis sitting on their website … given the complexities of the supply chain issue, this is the best result retailers can expect.”

While her store has product, others have chosen to close their doors when their inventories of cannabis flower and oils have run out, said Berry and Holmen.

Marijuana purchasers have ended up at her door after vainly searching elsewhere, said Berry.

“People have come here from Temple or Okotoks. For some of them, I’m their third stop,” she said.

Legal cannabis shortages have been experienced nationwide.

Ottawa has granted cultivation licences to more than 130 producers, but fewer than 100 of those have been issued sales licences.

On Thursday afternoon, the AGLC’s retail website had only nine of 87 dried flower strains listed in its inventory in stock.

“The majority of our product has been distributed to the brick and mortar stores,” said Holmen.

The commission has licensed 65 stores throughout the province, though many of those haven’t opened, while “some have had to cease operations for a day or two” due to supply problems, she added.