The Government of Nunavut will begin accepting applications for physical and online cannabis stores as of June 1.

The options open to prospective retailers will include enclosed stores, which will have cannabis products and accessories on display but won’t allow entry to minors.

Stores that exist within a commercial business can offer sales via a checkout counter, window or kiosk. These locations cannot advertise. They must sell cannabis products and accessories based on a price list, after a customer’s age has been verified.

Physical Stores are allowed to open to customers from 8 a.m.-10 p.m., except holidays.

Online stores can be web-based, telephone, online application (apps) or other means of telecommunications that allow customers to buy cannabis remotely.

The GN has produced a handbook that advises prospective retailers on security concerns, where the cannabis is sourced, how products are displayed, verifying the age of the customer (must be 19 or older) and providing literature on the responsible use of cannabis.

The territorial government has set an application fee of $2,000. Licence fees and renewals will be $1,000 for physical stores and $500 for online stores. Cannabis retailers must also pay a quarterly revenue-based licensing fee of two per cent of all revenue from cannabis product sales.

All applications will be reviewed by the GN’s Office of the Superintendent, which will oversee cannabis sales in Nunavut.

For physical stores, community consultations will be required. The Minister of Finance will consider a final report from the Office of the Superintendent on the approval of cannabis outlets and will provide direction to the superintendent before licences are approved.

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