N.B. unveils plans for Crown-run pot shops

FREDERICTON — 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,” said NB Liquor president Brian Harriman.

“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 such as 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 provide 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. The number of employees has not been determined, but each will require a lot of product knowledge, he said.

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.

“People need to know about the CBDs and the THCs, sativa and indica. 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.

Last month, Ontario announced it plans to set the minimum age at 19 and sell cannabis through government-run outlets.

This month, Alberta proposed to make 18 the minimum age to use cannabis, with no decision yet on whether to sell cannabis through government-run stores or through private operators.