The first cannabis retailer in Cochrane, Plantlife, opened its doors on July 25 – running a little late for an intended 4:20 p.m. opening and ready to serve a widening user demographic who are heading into year two of legal recreational purchase.
Roughly 20 people milled about the store in the first half-hour of opening and much of the demographic appeared to be women, many of them older than middle age to explore the different strains and paraphernalia on display throughout the store.
Plantlife, located at #25 31 Bow Street Common in the Quarry (next to The Beer Den, Frilly Lilly and Chopped Leaf) is the first approved retailer to pot, rather pop, open its doors to the public with legal cannabis for sale following a six month licensing moratorium implemented last December by the Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) to catch up on licensing applications.
“That brings us up to nine total,” said Plantlife CEO and co-owner Mike Wheeler, with reference to store number nine for the major cannabis brand that opened the next day. He stressed that store location is a big key to success. “And we have about 14 other locations we’re working on.”
Switching gears to cannabis from beer, Wheeler and his partners launched the Edmonton-based cannabis brand once recreational legalization talks began brewing.
“We thought it was a good idea to throw our hat in the ring. All of a sudden it came together and it was viable.”
While the application process has been challenging, with each municipality having its own guidelines to be met, as well as AGLC compliance, Wheeler commended the Town of Cochrane administration for being easy to work with and “pro-business.”
Licenses were granted three weeks ago and by last Thursday, Plantlife had been on a whirlwind opening five stores in eight days.
According to town administration, there are six approved development permits for cannabis retailers in Cochrane at present, located at: #3-205 Third Ave West, #5-122 Fourth Ave West, 111 Second Ave West, 305 First Street West, 315 First Street East and the Plantlife store.
Spiritleaf, the retailer located at 305 First Street West, is still awaiting their AGLC licenses required to open.
The town is not aware of any other locations with plans to open in the near future and has not received any complaints so far.
Administration confirmed due to setback requirements (150 metres from schools/daycares/health facilities/other cannabis retailers) there would be limited locations for additional cannabis retailer applications.
The AGLC is responsible for governing all private retail cannabis, the distribution of the legal smoke and the only legal online cannabis store albertacannabis.org.
To learn more about AGLC's public education campaign on safe and responsible cannabis use and consumption, visit aglc.ca.
An online CochraneTODAY.ca poll indicated majority support for legalization and a shop local option (40 per cent); followed by a close split of those opposed to legal cannabis sales in town (30 per cent) and indifference (28 per cent).
