The Territories - Cannabis Licences

What You Need to Know

The Territories in Canada are vast and sparsely populated. If you would like to open a cannabis retail store in the Territories, you should be armed with a business plan as well as industry best practices.

Yukon

Premier: Sandy Silver, Liberal
Population: 35,874 (2016) StatCan
Minimum wage: $13.85 CAD per hour (2018)
Private Retail Stores: Permitted
Cannabis Retail Store Count: 5
Store Regulator: Cannabis Yukon

Yukon has established a hybrid private and government-run cannabis retail model. The Yukon Liquor Corporation (YLC) regulates the sale and distribution of cannabis in the Yukon and operates Cannabis Yukon, the Yukon’s only legal online non-medical eCommerce site.

The YLC is responsible for issuing cannabis licenses and for overseeing the activity of private operators.  Anyone can apply to become a designated cannabis vendor; the YLC oversees the evaluation of all applications and provides recommendations to the Cannabis Licensing Board, which holds the sole authority to grant the licence or not.

There are currently five cannabis retail stores in Yukon, whose locations were chosen based on population and accessibility. Depending on sales, it is expected that new retail locations will open up in the near future.

The cannabis retail store locations are:

• Carmacks
• Dawson City
• Whitehorse

Northwest Territories

Premier: Caroline Cochrane
Population: 45,136 (est. 2021)
Minimum wage: $13.46 CAD per hour (2018)
Private Retail Stores: Permitted
Cannabis Retail Store Count: 6
Store Regulator: Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission
Store Locations: Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Norman Wells, Yellowknife (2)
Insurance Requirements: There are no minimum insurance requirements specified at this time.

The Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NTLCC) regulates the sale and distribution of cannabis in the Northwest Territories (NWT). Consumers can purchase cannabis products online through the government-run NTLCC website, or in-store at designated cannabis vendors.

Anyone can apply to become a designated cannabis vendor; the NTLCC oversees the evaluation of all applications and provides recommendations to the Minister of Finance for approval.

There are currently five cannabis retail stores in the Northwest Territories, whose locations were chosen based on population and accessibility. Depending on sales, it is expected that new retail locations will open up in the near future.

The five dispensary locations are:

• Fort Simpson
• Fort Smith
• Hay River
• Norman Wells
• Yellowknife

Nunavut

Premier: Joe Savikataaq
Population: 39,407 (est. 2021)
Minimum wage: $16 CAD per hour (2018)
Private Retail Stores: Permitted
Cannabis Retail Store Count: 5
Store Regulator: Nunavut Liquor & Cannabis Commision

Application Fees: $2,000

Up until recently, there were no cannabis retail stores in Nunavut, and all sales are conducted through online transactions regulated by the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NULC). Provincial regulations do allow for private licensing through agents selected by the NULC. Currently, the NULC’s approved agents are:

• Canopy Growth Corporation (Tweed)
• AgMedica (Vertical Cannanbis)

On May 19th, 2020, the Government of Nunavut announced it was preparing to allow businesses within the territory to sell recreational cannabis. Effective June 1st, 2020 the Government began accepting applications for cannabis retail licence applications to operate physical cannabis stores and online stores in Nunavut.

Application Submission: Once an application is received, the Office of the Superintendent will send a confirmation email to the applicant. Initial Review: The Office of the Superintendent will review the application information to ensure it is complete. Missing information will delay the initial review period. Once complete documentation is received, the Office of the Superintendent undertakes an initial review and ensures the applicant(s) are eligible to obtain a cannabis retail licence.
Community Consultation: If the application is for a Physical Store, the community where the potential store is to be located will be consulted.
Licensing Decision: (Physical Stores) The Superintendent will provide the Minister of Finance with a final report on each licence application received for a Physical Store. The Minister will then consider the report and provide direction to the Superintendent on approving a cannabis retail licence application for a Physical Store.
Licensing Decision: (Online Stores) The Superintendent will approve a cannabis retail licence application to operate an Online Store if the applicant(s) meet the standard eligibility requirements.

Source: Nunavut Cannabis Retailers Handbook