The building intended to host Melfort's first cannabis store had a lease sign up since June 2019. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

By Aaron Schulze

Cannabis in Melfort

Melfort cannabis store licence winner withdraws application

Sep 9, 2019 | 4:57 PM

Since early June 2019, the building on Burrows Ave. W. that was supposed to host Melfort’s first cannabis store has ‘for lease’ sign on the front.

David Morris, a communications representative from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA), told northeastNOW that the Melfort cannabis store license winner – Dr. Jean Paul Lim – withdrew his application earlier in the year.

“As part of the initial selection process, SLGA established a ‘runner up’ list of two proponents per available permit, to be used only if the initial proponent selected was ineligible or withdrew from the process,” Morris said. “The runner up for Melfort is now proceeding through the permitting process.”

In February Lim said the building’s construction was complete since November 2018 and he was waiting for the SLGA to conduct its final inspection and give him his permit.

In June, SLGA cited confidentiality concerns when northeastNOW asked why the permit wasn’t issued.

Bandits Softball

U19 Bandits open season with gold in Alberta

11h ago

Making use of unproductive land

Ducks Unlimited and PepsiCo collaborate on incentive programs for farmers

12h ago

Transit changes

High school students will pay more for bus passes

12h ago

Lim also won cannabis store licences for Rosetown and Outlook as well, but those have yet to open.

Morris said licence winners and runner ups for cannabis stores in Saskatchewan are required to proceed through SLGA’s permitting process. That includes “the completion of formal application paperwork, submitting and passing a good character check, approval of an inventory management system, a security review of the facility, etc.”

In other northeast area communities, cannabis stores in Humboldt and Tisdale have opened, while Nipawin’s proposed store in the town’s inner downtown core has yet to open.

Neil Sasakamoose from the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs (BTAC) partnered with GTec Holdings in owning Nipawin’s cannabis permit. Last October he said they had all their permits in order and targeted a Dec. 15 opening date.

Morris said BTAC and GTec Holdings are continuing to go through the SLGA’s permitting process.

According to SLGA, cannabis store licence winners have approximately 16 months to open their store from when they were notified of the opportunity to apply for a permit. Morris said Melfort’s runner up was notified in June 2019 and will have until October 2020 to open the store.

–

aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow