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Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Hashish (AGLC) has eliminated a rule round hashish product show some retailers say has contributed to a spate of robberies focusing on the trade.
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In a letter from AGLC despatched to hashish retailers Tuesday and obtained by Postmedia, the fee says it has eliminated its regulation that prohibited hashish merchandise and equipment from being seen from a retailer’s exterior. To satisfy that requirement, shops needed to set up window coverings.
Officers stated the choice was made to spice up security on the shops, which have more and more grow to be the targets of crime.
“AGLC is conscious of a major rise in business robberies at licensed hashish retail areas in latest months, specifically within the metropolis of Calgary,” the letter stated.
“Use of violence and weapons has occurred in some business robberies, and AGLC is anxious for the security of employees, clients and responding law enforcement officials.”
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In an announcement, AGLC stated it was “deeply involved” about rising robberies, and added it has labored with retailers and regulation enforcement on choices for reinforcing security.
Calgary Police have been unable to offer up-to-date knowledge Tuesday on hashish retailer robberies within the metropolis this 12 months. However the drive stated it has logged an uptick in robberies, with 29 in 2021, and 10 in 2022 by way of March 18.
Excessive Tide, the corporate that operates Canna Cabana shops in Alberta, welcomed the removing of the coverage, initially put in place to maintain merchandise out of view of minors.
“What the regulation meant was that, in essence, hashish shops grew to become prime targets for legal components. And the reason being, should you have been wanting maybe to interrupt right into a retailer, rob a retailer for money or product, you’re extra possible to decide on a goal the place individuals can’t actually see what’s happening from the surface,” Excessive Tide senior vice-president Omar Khan stated.
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“It was creating a major security difficulty for our staff — and never simply ours, however employers throughout the retail hashish sector . . . It was an unintended consequence, but it surely was a major consequence.”
Break-ins and tried robberies at Canna Cabana shops have been spiking throughout the nation not too long ago, Khan stated, however notably in Alberta.
He stated his firm plans to take away window coverings at its areas after guaranteeing they’re persevering with to adjust to provincial and federal laws.
The choice was additionally excellent news for Jim Ramadan, whose household owns the Bow Hashish retailer in Calgary’s Bowness neighbourhood. He stated his employees have introduced up security considerations, notably when closing the shop at evening.
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“I feel it’s lengthy overdue,” Ramadan stated. “It’s a giant peace of thoughts and we’ll undoubtedly be seeking to altering up our window coverings quickly right here. Additionally, from a enterprise perspective, it’s very nice that they relaxed it so we could be a little extra open, just a little extra pleasant.”
In its letter to retailers, AGLC stated the coverage change is supposed to mitigate robberies, which means shops shouldn’t substitute window coverings with outward-facing promotions or ads.
Officers added that federal prohibitions on shows stay in place, and suggested retailers to make sure safety features together with video recordings and alarm techniques are in working order.
Twitter: @jasonfherring
