Retailers outline plans for Cannabis permits in Melfort, Nipawin
The companies awarded marijuana retail permits in Nipawin and Melfort say they are going ahead with plans to open shops in the communities soon.
The Saskatchewan government announced the winners of the retail permit lottery earlier this month, and more than 50 permits were awarded in communities across the province. British Columbia-based internal medicine specialist and entrepreneur Dr. Jean Lim won permits to operate a marijuana retail outlet in Nipawin, along with stores in the communities of Rosetown and Outlook. This is Lim’s first foray into the marijuana retail market, and he’s currently looking at properties in Melfort and plans to visit the community in the coming days. He said he plans to hire a manager, two or three full-time staff members, and three or four part-time staff members to run the business in Melfort.
“I think there’s a lot of stigma behind marijuana use in general that I don’t think is necessarily valid,” Lim told northeastNOW. “My plans are to work with each community … I’m happy to meet with as many residents as possible. I’m all ears.”
The investment arm of the Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs partnered with GTec Holdings, which produces and markets cannabis, to take on the retail permit in Nipawin. Neil Sasakamoose, BATC executive director, said there have been concerns from their members around legalization, and members were adamant that cannabis retailers not be located on reserve land.