Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland has adopted a mixed private and public model for the distribution and sale of cannabis within the province, with public stores opening only where no private enterprises have expressed interest.

The Newfoundland government awarded opportunities to apply for the first retail cannabis store licenses via a “Phase 1” Request for Proposal (RFP) process, and 24 private locations have been announced to start. Wholesale distribution and online sales are being handled exclusively by the province to start.

Private retail store licenses are issued by the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC) following a detailed application process in which applicants must disclose information about their business and associates, financial and criminal history, the retail store location and security plans, as well as inventory management and budgeting plans for the cannabis retail store. The key to getting a licence is to provide the government with a carefully structured application demonstrating a commitment to socially responsible consumption of cannabis, providing a safe and secure retail experience, and the personal/financial ability to operate a cannabis retail store.

The province proposed four tiers of cannabis retail stores for assessment in the RFP, with preference given to stand-alone stores handling only cannabis and cannabis accessories. The four tiers of store application are: Stand-Alone Cannabis Retail Only (a stand-alone store carrying only cannabis and cannabis accessories); Store-Within-a-Store (a completely enclosed area selling only cannabis and cannabis accessories within an existing retail store); Dedicated Service Desk and Cash-Counter (discrete location within an existing retail store that is separate from the main cash counter); Behind-the-Counter (shared space at an existing cash counter). The prices of recreational cannabis products in Newfoundland are solely determined by the NLC with the cannabis retail stores paid an 8% commission on the retail price.

Cannabis Compliance is accepting new retail clients for licensing, compliance, recruiting and staff training. Contact us today to start the conversation.