Legal cannabis rakes in close to $130K in first 4 days in the N.W.T. - Action News
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Legal cannabis rakes in close to $130K in first 4 days in the N.W.T.

Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod takes questions re: cannabis sales and stock, says stock shortages are a problem across the country.

3 of the 5 liquor stores selling cannabis are out of product

This sign appeared on the doors of the N.W.T.'s liquor and cannabis store after it sold out of stock Oct. 17. After restocking, and selling out again by Oct. 22, the store's Facebook page now indicates it hopes to have stock again by Thursday. (Hilary Bird/CBC)

In the first four days of legalization, the N.W.T. government raked in about $129,600.

Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod told MLA's Tuesday thatclose to $11,000 was from online sales.

Meanwhile, threeof the territory'sfiveliquor stores selling cannabis are out of product.

In the legislature Tuesday, Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart said he's received complaints that online orders of cannabis haven't been shipped.

"Is product left in the Northwest Territories?" he asked McLeod.

Country-wide problem

McLeod said"this is an issue that is facing the whole country."

The territory is currently working with three major cannabis suppliers, but McLeod said his department is trying to find more federally-approved suppliers to help meet demand.

"Once the initial rush is off, we think things will probably stabilize a bit," he said.

"I am not sure that we anticipated the level that was going to be needed, as far as cannabis goes, across the country."

3 retailers waiting for stock

Fort Smith's liquor store ran out on Oct. 18, and staff there says it will "hopefully" get another shipment this Thursday.

Hay River Liquor Retailers Ltd. ran out Friday and their staff say they're still waiting for delivery.

In Yellowknife, the uptownliquor store ran out by 5:30 p.m.on Oct. 17 the first day recreational cannabis became legal in Canada.

It was able to restock the following day, but by Mondaythe liquor store posted on Facebook thatit was out of cannabis "until further notice."

Is product left in the Northwest Territories?- KieronTestart, MLA for KamLake

A follow-up post indicates the storeexpects delivery on Thursday.

CBCNews has put in several requests to the Department of Finance for numbers on cannabis sales, and on what remainsfrom the initial30 kilograms the government purchased,but those numbers have not been provided.

CBCNews has also requested an interview with the N.W.T. Liquor and Cannabis Commission aboutthe cannabis supply in the territory, but no one has been made available.