The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority is now accepting applications for wholesale cannabis permits and licensed producers. There is no limit in the province on the number of wholesale permits, but those permittees can only sell to retailers and not to the general public.
Wholesale permit fees run $5,000, including a $2,000 non-refundable application fee and a $3,000 annual fee. The registration fee for federally-licensed producers is $2,000, including a $500 non-refundable application fee and a $1,500 annual permit fee.
Gene Makowsky, the Minister Responsible for SLGA, said interest in the retail cannabis sector is “very strong” and explained that submissions that meet the requirements will be “randomly selected” for permits “in the coming weeks prior to federal legalization.”
“Our government is committed to ensuring that the legalization of cannabis is focused on protecting the public. Having SLGA permitted wholesalers and federally-licensed producers will help ensure that the supply of cannabis in our province is safe.” – Makowsky in a press release
The province has already closed the application process for retail permits. There are 52 retail permits available in 32 communities. Saskatchewan is one of just three provinces allowing private entities to run retail cannabis sales, rather than government-run stores.