Plenty of interest but no chaos as B.C.'s legal cannabis sales get underway

Freshly legalizedmarijuana is said to be selling well in B.C. both online and in the province's only government-run store but officials say traffic is well under control.

Hours after cannabis was legalized across Canada, acheer went up as the first dozencustomers spilled into the B.C. Cannabis Store in Kamloopswhen it opened at 10 a.m. PT.

Kelowna'sBeckyPretewas first in line. She drove from Kelowna, stayed overnight in a hotel and rolled up to the storewith coffee and a camping chair at 6a.m. PT.

Craig McCarthy drove for two hours from Chilliwack and arrivedat about 2 a.m. PT, but his decision to nap in his car landed him second in line.

He has been smoking cannabis for 20 years and normally buysshatter a potent cannabis concentrate from an illegal dispensary.

The government-run store doesn't carry the concentrated product which is still illegal but he says he'll buy marijuana onlinenowinstead of purchasing it illegally.

"I'm just happy it's finally here,'' McCarthysaid. "It'll absolutely change my life."

Online sales running as 'hoped'

The B.C. Cannabis Store's online shopwent live at midnight and racked up around 1,000 sales in itsfirst hour, according to B.C. Public Safety MinisterMikeFarnworth.

"It did not crash,'' he told a conference call hours after the site opened.

"So far, it is performing as we hoped it would.''

The approximately 80products for sale at the storefront and onlineinclude:

• Pre-rolled joints
• Bottled oils
• Oil products
• Dry products
• Capsules
• Pipes
• Vaporizers
• Rolling papers
• Bongs

Prices range from $4.20 for a pre-rolled,half-gram joint to $139.99 for a three-pack of oils.

There are no shipping options just a flat fee of $10 and Canada Post is supposed to ship orderswithin 48 hours.

When asked about perceived high prices for legal cannabis compared to black market prices,Farnworthsaid he expectsmarket forces to play out over time in favour of legal weed, as more growers and distributors are licensed.

"People are prepared to pay a premium for product they can trust," he said.

Crackdown not expected

Farnworth says the province is considering 173cannabisstoreapplications province-wide, with 35 in the advanced planning stage.

TheKamloopsshop received final and unanimous approval fromcitycouncillorson Tuesday less than 12 hours before recreational cannabis was legalized in the country.

The store, which is attached toa shopping mall,is branded similarly to aB.C. Liquor Store. Doors and windows are frosted, making itimpossible to see inside from the parking lot, which is in line with provincial regulations.

Shoppers who have to be at least 19 years old will have their IDs checked at security. Customers can't touch or samples products, but "cannabis consultants" will be on hand to help buyersmake their selections.

Enforcement of illegal shops is not expected now that recreational marijuana is legal, thoughthere is an expectation that many illegal dispensaries will comply with the law by obtaining a retail licenceor choosing to shut down.

With files from Briar Stewart, Brady Strachan and theCanadian Press

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