B.C. Cannabis will be opening its first store in Prince George this week.
A spokesperson confirms the government-regulated location will open on Wednesday (April 29) in the Pine Centre Mall.
It'll be open seven days a week with health measures in place to keep up with preventing the spread of COVID-19.
“While this is a challenging time for everyone in the context of COVID-19, we are committed to following through on our plan to roll out our network of stores and eliminate the illicit cannabis market,” said Kevin Satterfield, Director of Retail Operations, Cannabis Operations, Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB), in a news release.
To protect the most vulnerable, the 10 employees in the store and its customers, physical distancing is set to be enforced, protective shields have been installed at each check-out station and common surfaces will be cleaned frequently.
"Provincially regulated cannabis stores continue operating during the pandemic as an essential service to reduce profits flowing to gangs and organized crime, and to minimize the public health risks associated with the use of unregulated and untested cannabis vaping products," the B.C. Cannabis Store release adds.
Hours for the 4,000 sq. ft. store will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Products range from edibles and extracts to dried cannabis flower and capsules, all approved by Health Canada.
"Staff are committed to keeping cannabis out of the hands of youth and will employ a strict two-ID check for people who look under 30," the release adds.
"This measure ensures only those over the age of 19 enter the store."
Pine Centre Mall was the second location in the northern capital considered for a B.C. Cannabis Store.
The proposed location at the old RBC bank building in College Heights was set to be the first government-regulated store to open, but has since been put on hold.
