While Richmond is still determining how cannabis will be handled in the city, the province is moving ahead with its plans for online sales and has secured a distribution centre in Richmond.
The Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) plans to use Shopify for online sales of non-medical cannabis and will operate out of a 70,000 square foot facility on No. 6 Road.
"Shopify was chosen for its proven record of on-time execution, user-friendly design and long-term approach to anticipating consumer needs beyond the implementation phase," said Blain Lawson, LDB's general manager and CEO in a press release.
"Every decision we make, as we introduce cannabis to our business, is underpinned by the social responsibility we have to our communities, to prevent minors from accessing cannabis, to reduce the criminal element, and to prioritize the health and safety of our customers."
The province says measures will be taken to ensure the Richmond facility is secure and products are high quality through regular inventory review and stock rotation.
Shopify had to meet to a list of requirements including creating two separate websites for online orders, one for consumers and another private retail stores, age verification on the BC Cannabis Stores’ website, a warehouse management system and a customer care centre.
Last week, the federal government announced that recreational cannabis will be legal in Canada on Oct. 17.
