Smokers and tokers alike will be happy to know that Lac La Biche County is opening its first of three plannned cannabis shops, just in time for Canada Day.
Equilbirum Cannabis will be opening July 1, and is located along main street, beside the CIBC.
The privately-owned business was the first of three local operations to apply for their license with the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission more than a year ago. Cannabis applications came to a stall shortly after the pair had applied as government officials slowed down the approvals while availability of cannabis was in short supply. In the last month, licenses have again been getting approvals from the provincially-regulated commision.
Equilibrium owners Derek Ewaskiw and Gerry Webster are excited to open their shop and say the community has been welcoming. "Everyone has been super supportive. It's been incredible even those that don't smoke have been, you know, 'I don't do that, but good for you guys,'" said Ewaskiw. "People are excited about it."
Ewaskiw and Webster say that their shop will differentiate itself thanks to its fun, professional nature. Their shop, they say, has its own branding and their own style which they describe as elegant yet laid back.
Equilbirum Cannabis will be fully stocked with all the traditional strains, like indica, sativa and hybrids but will also have oils available.
"We will be carrying CBD oil and were able to get stock for our first order," said Ewaskiw.
Edibles are still illegal in Canada, but the shop is expecting to sell them around December, after they become legalized — which is expcted to happen in late October.
Ewaskiw and Webster are confident they won't have the same supply issues that have troubled other pot shops in Alberta.
"The way it works is all the stores get the same amount of cannabis across Alberta. So the same stores in Edmonton are supplying for 100,000 people — it's gonna be a lot different for us" said Ewaskiw. "They're selling out quicker and the smaller communities are actually still able to maintain their stock levels."
Equilibrium will not be the only cannabis shop in the county for long. Spiritleaf, a chain of pot-shops in Alberta, is waiting their license to open up a local shop on the corner of 101 Street and 102 Avenue kitty corner from Lac La Biche's Canada Post office. Ewaskiw and Webster welcome the competition. "We're excited for them, we're sad that they're not open at the same time we are to be honest," said Ewaskiw.
"Competition is great for the customer, and then it gives the community more options," said Webster.
Ewaskiw and Webster are ready to answer any questions people might have about cannabis. They say that any stigma around the idea of cannabis can often create a smoke cover that isn't necessarily fair. They say that educating the public is something they are more than willing to do, and expect the operators of other shops to do the same.
"Please come in, we're happy to educate them on any questions they have. Whether it's regarding your smoking or just ingesting in general — or concerns about the product," said Ewaskiw.
The location of the cannabis retailers in Lac La Biche was first questioned by municipal councillors and existing land use bylaws for distances from schools, other medical businesses and other cannabis dispensaries. Those concerns were addressed and the stores meet local zoning and land use criteria.
