1,502 submissions received for Sask.'s 51 available cannabis retail permits

More than 1,500 applicants are competingto sell weed tocustomers in Saskatchewan.

Butonly 51 permits areavailable.

"We took a cautious approach, a reasonable approach," said Gene Makowsky, the minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.

In Saskatchewan,cannabiswill be sold by private retailers once it's legalized for recreational use a move that's expected to come later this year. The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority will issue the 51 permits for retailers around the province.

In Regina, there were 169 applications for six available permits. In Saskatoon, 177 applications were submitted for seven total permits. There were 107 applications for Moose Jaw's two available permits.

The number of applicants shows a significant interest in the industry, Makowsky said.

He said theretail market is still unknown, and there is the possibility more permits could be issued later.

"We'll take a look at it and then if necessary issue other permits in the same centres and maybe in smaller centres."

As of the April 10 deadline, 1,502 applications for potretail permits weresubmitted to the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.

A $1,000 non-refundable fee was required for each submission, bringing more than $1.5 million in for the government.

NDPMLANicoleSarauersaid it's "prudent" the provincelimit permits, but argued 51 is not enough. Shepointed to retail cannabis success in other jurisdictions as well as theretail shops that operated illegally in Regina and "were thriving."

"Frankly, the retail numbers that they put forwardaren't going to be enough," she said."There is a huge concern that the black market is going to continue to thrive."

Hopeful applicants will be vetted based oncriteria such as good character, finances and operational ability.Those who aren't disqualified will be entered into a random lottery system for the 51 permits.

"There's an independent third party that will be part of the entire process to make sure it's done transparently," Makowsky said.

Saskatchewan-based retailers will not be given preference over out-of-province applicants. The government would not say how many applicants were local.

The government expects to announce successful permittees in the coming weeks, prior to federal legalization.

ButSarauersaid that's not soon enough.

"Prospective business owners areleft in the dark as to whether or not they've been successful," in their applications, she said.

"These businesses need to be able to get their infrastructure started, their employees hired, their spaces leased."

Sarauersaid local business owners have expressed worry about thefairness and transparencyof the vetting process.

Wholesale hopefuls can apply

On Friday, the liquor and gaming authority saidapplications are also open for people who want to wholesale cannabisin Saskatchewan.

The government saidwholesalers must physically operate within the province and will sell to retailers, rather than the public.

The fee for a wholesale permit is $5,000, including a $2,000 non-refundable application fee and a $3,000 annual permit fee.

Furthermore, the registration fee for federally licensed producers is $2,000, including a $500 non-refundable application fee and a$1,500 annual permit fee.

The province said there is no limit to the number of wholesale permits nor is there a deadline to apply.

Thegovernmentsays permits for cannabis retailerswill be issued for up to three years, withfees payable upfront or in yearly instalments.

They will be renewed as long as the business complies with alllaws and requirements.