Alberta Seeks More Cannabis Producers As Demand Drains Inventories

Alberta is looking to expand its list of cannabis growers – and increase inventories – as enthusiastic consumers continue to deplete provincial stocks of popular weed products.

Alberta Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis (AGLC), which sells wholesale to retailers and online to consumers, is purchasing cannabis from 15 licensed producers across the country.

But the regulator seeks to add new producers from which it can supply, because it seeks to cope with an unexpected appetite for a legal pot.

"We plan to continue actively seeking new suppliers," said AGLC spokeswoman Kaleigh Miller.

"When the industry has launched the [Oct. 17] The response has been excellent and market demand has remained relatively stable since then. So I think everyone felt that this industry was a success.

"But I think the success is a little bigger than expected."

On Tuesday afternoon, the AGLC retail website was sold for 17 of 81 types of dry flowers, four in ten pre-rolled cannabis products, four of six oils and all its capsules.

Products sold as sold out on the website include Kiwi Cannabis Mango Haze and scientist Riff Subway.

Miller said that licensed producers with whom the AGLC has contracts are challenged to respond to market demand. However, the regulator continues to receive shipments on a daily basis, she said.

The majority of these shipments are attributed to licensed retailers.

"Let's hope that, while things are selling, we will be able to restock somewhat during these first days and weeks," she said.

But there is no quick fix. Licensed producers are increasing their production, she added, but cannabis takes time to develop.

"It's not something we can just turn around overnight," Miller said. "So we see a bit of a delay in this aspect, but I'm confident, hopefully, that in the not-too-distant future, we'll see things unfold as before."

There are cannabis shortages all over the country, leaving new stores in ruins.

Four20 Premium Market, one of two retailers in Calgary, said on Facebook Tuesday afternoon that he had a stock.

James Burns, CEO of Alcanna Inc., the parent company of Nova Cannabis, which currently owns a site in Calgary, said he did not care about supplies in his stores.

"We had very big orders, the biggest possible," said Burns.

"Some strains sold out for sure, but we still had products in stock and we were restocked this week, I think like everyone else, so we're in good shape."

Burns said people always queued to shop.

"The waiting lines are not very long but there are always waiting lines," he said. "Just sales non-stop, non-stop."

Nick Kuzyk, head of strategy at High Tides Ventures, who plans to open his first Canna Cabana store at Canyon Meadows at the end of the month, says the outlet will have the stocks he needs.

"We have started the process of purchasing stocks via the AGLC and I think it's true that we do not have a choice of everything we would like to stock", a- he declared.

"However, this is the case for everyone and customers, on the basis of demand up to now, seem willing to follow the process with retailers and the province, and are nonetheless enthusiastic, very enthusiastic, about the legalization. "