New Brunswick opts for Crown-run marijuana stores

Home delivery part of plan as legalization nears

New Brunswickers will buy their legal marijuana at a subsidiary of the province’s liquor commission — and have sommelier-like staff to guide them.

The province also announced Wednesday the stores will be more tightly controlled than liquor outlets, but home delivery will be available.

“No one under the legal age will be allowed inside the premises. That will happen at the reception area, after which people will be able to enter the retail environment,” NB Liquor president Brian Harriman told a news conference.

“The product will be displayed under glass cases and it will be a one-on-one shopping experience … We will ensure our retail staff are highly trained and able to educate and help people who want to learn about cannabis have that opportunity in the store environment.”

Finance Minister Cathy Rogers said other jurisdictions like Colorado and Washington recommended starting with tight government oversight, and New Brunswick’s Crown- owned liquor agency is well- positioned for the job.

“NB Liquor has the experience in the retail market selling a regulated substance, and we believe their knowledge and expertise will pro- vide for a smooth transition into this new territory,” she said.

The federal government is expected to legalize recreational marijuana starting in July 2018, although some provinces, territories and police agencies have lobbied for a delay.

Federal Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor has said the government is sticking to the deadline, and Rogers says that’s the date New Brunswick is preparing for.

A tender was recently issued for 20 retail locations in 15 communities across the province.

Harriman said the retail locations will be separate from anywhere liquor is now sold.

Jamie Agnew, president of the CUPE local that represents about 500 NB Liquor employees, said staff will have to be trained much like sommeliers in liquor stores.

“There’s a lot of science around the marijuana now. Just as in wine and scotch, there’s a tasting wheel,” said Agnew, who currently uses medicinal marijuana himself.