Notice Board

The Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) presents a special session with Mack Andrews as he discusses retail legislation as it relates to the new cannabis industry in Alberta.

Date:                     Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Time:                     12 to 1:30 p.m., doors open at 11:30 a.m., buffet lunch after presentation at 12:30 p.m.
Location:              Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr S
Cost:                      $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

The Alberta Cannabis Framework has outlined what Albertans can expect when cannabis becomes legal in Canada on July 1, 2018. After months of engagement with Albertans, stakeholders and partners, extensive research of other jurisdictions, and consideration of existing liquor and tobacco laws, the framework sets the stage for the responsible use of cannabis in Alberta.

Aspects of this framework will be implemented through various pieces of legislation introduced during the fall of 2017 and spring of 2018, including substantive changes to the Gaming and Liquor Act that will address oversight, distribution and licensing for non-medical cannabis. To properly reflect this, the amendments will include renaming the act to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act.

Albertans will have two options for purchasing recreational cannabis: Privately run retail stores and government-operated online sales.Physical retail locations will be subject to government regulations and the terms of licenses granted by the AGLC. Consumers will be limited to 30 grams of cannabis per transaction, which is also the legal public possession limit.

Though cannabis cafes and lounges will not be permitted on July 1, 2018, the legislation also gives the authority to regulate these forms of establishments should the government decide to allow them at a later date. The speaker will explain the many regulation scenarios related to retail sales of cannabis in Alberta.

Speaker:               Mack Andrews

Mack Andrews is a Calgary native and Queen’s University alumnus (BASc) taking a material role in Canada’s Cannabis industry. After a career in Alberta’s oil and gas industry, he turned his focus to the blooming cannabis industry in early 2017.

Upon identifying a gap in the industry, Mack co-founded the Alberta Cannabis Collective (‘ABCC’), the leading association for above board cannabis retail in Alberta. The ABCC’s mission is to foster a functional, safe and flourishing cannabis industry.

Currently, Mack occupies the position of vice-president of the ABCC and his main focus is collaboration with future cannabis retailers and all levels of government in Alberta. In addition to an active role with the ABCC, Mack is involved with an organization establishing retail locations in Calgary.

Moderator:         Dylan Purcell

For more information on the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs, visit the SACPA website.