Government permits online payment for cannabis pickup orders

Recreational pot-users can now pay for their online orders before pickup as a way to help retailers deal with COVID-19.

Previously, customers could reserve cannabis products online but would have to arrive in-person to prove their age and make payment.

In a statement, Attorney General David Eby said the move was made after concerns were raised by retailers about the pandemic.

“This change responds to a request from private retailers as they continue to follow the mandates of the provincial health officer,” Eby said.

“It supports public health and safety by reducing the amount of time customers need to spend in stores and allows them to remain physically distanced from employees and each other.”

The new regulation will allow for payments to be made on a website, app or by phone, though customers will still have to provide identification when they arrive at the store.

Retailers also have to include an age-verification tool in their online sales systems.

Eby said the provincial government was also considering proposals to allow private retailers to make home deliveries of recreational cannabis.

“Any potential relaxation of the existing delivery prohibition for private retailers would need to maintain strict standards preventing youth access to cannabis,” he said.

The new regulation will also allow pot retailers with multiple stores to accept prepaid gift cards to make purchases. The previous rules restricted the use of these cards to the store at which the card was bought.