Canada Nearly Runs Out of Weed After Legalization
After going legal just last week, Canada is having a hard time keeping up with demand. Four days after the country legalized recreational marijuana, retail shops are nearly sold out.
“It’s a mess. The supply is just a mess,” said Patrick Wallace, owner of the Alberta shop Waldo’s 420 Store.
The problem started on the first day of legalization, when customers throughout Canada’s territories and online shops all had trouble securing product.
SDQC, which manages sales in Quebec, recorded more than 12,500 in-store transactions and 30,000 online orders the first day, far exceeding expectations.
While many stores have obtained the proper licenses, they haven’t been able to access enough supply when it’s time to reorder. Some orders placed have only contained part of what was requested.
Some stores have even closed up shop until the supply problem is fixed, posting “out of stock” signs.
Bill Blair, a Canadian legislator who led the legalization drive, said, “We expected certain strains might run out and there would be a bit of run on supply. But you know, they’ve got a pretty good infrastructure in place and I’m confident it will work” in the long term.
“It’s day four of legalization … and nobody has all the answers right now,” said Heather Holmen, spokeswoman for the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission.
