New Brunswick’s pot retailer to lay off about 60 staffers

New Brunswick’s cannabis retailer is laying off staff, saying it has a better understanding of “operational needs” three months after the historic legalization of recreational marijuana.

Cannabis NB said most of the about 60 layoffs involved people with seasonal contracts, but some are part-time or full-time staff.

Spokeswoman Marie-andree Bolduc said Thursday that despite supply challenges, operations have normalized at the 20 stores and they now understand the needs of each outlet.

“This decision is representative of normal new retail industry operations and long-term fiscal responsibility,” she said in an email.

She said it’s difficult to speculate whether the supply problems that have plagued cannabis retailers across the country were a factor.

“Supply issues may have contributed, however based on current traffic and interaction time with customers we are confident that even as supply continues to stabilize and we expand our portfolio, that our current team has the capacity to deliver the expected customer experience and education ...,” she said.

Under the former Liberal government, New Brunswick had seen legalized pot as green gold — a chance to rake in profits and create production and retail jobs, with a community college program developed for cannabis technicians.

Bolduc said some of the laid-off employees may be rehired in the future.