Yellowknife — December 1, 2020
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is announcing that ReLeaf NT and Trailblazers Cannabis Shop will be opening private retail cannabis stores in Yellowknife.
ReLeaf NT will operate at 5123 51st Street in Yellowknife. ReLeaf was the successful proponent through the GNWT’s public procurement process for cannabis retailers in Yellowknife.
Trailblazers Cannabis Shop will operate at 100 Borden Drive, Unit 12, in Yellowknife. The GNWT and the Yellowknife Liquor Shop agreed to separate liquor sales and cannabis sales. As such, Trailblazers will be moving to a standalone location next to the Liquor Shop. Cannabis will no longer be available for purchase at the Yellowknife Liquor Shop.
These retailers are designated to sell cannabis by the Minister of Finance under the NWT Cannabis Products Act. The application process to become a retailer is open to all NWT residents, and the Government of the Northwest Territories follows a strict evaluation process to ensure the safety of NWT residents. The two retail locations comply with the safety requirements and were inspected by the Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NTLCC).
The GNWT remains committed to ensuring NWT residents have safe and legal access to cannabis products.
Quotes
“Since its legalization in 2018, the Government of the Northwest Territories has envisioned private retailers playing a role in the safe and legal sale of cannabis in the NWT. Today, the GNWT welcomes ReLeaf NT and Trailblazers Cannabis Shop as private retailers of cannabis.”
-Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Finance
“We’re excited to officially announce ReLeaf NT as a designated cannabis retailer. We’ve spent the last eighteen months working through the rigorous qualification and proposal process. We're now putting the finishing touches on our new full-service, cutting edge downtown location. We are looking forward to our new partnership with the NTLCC and serving Yellowknifers."
-Luke Wood, ReLeaf NT
“We are enthusiastic about officially opening and moving into the new location for Trailblazers Cannabis Shop in Stanton Plaza. Having a standalone store with more space is something we have been working toward for the last two years. We are looking forward to serving the public at the new location next door to the Liquor Shop.”
-Edward Eggenberger, Trailblazers Cannabis Shop
Quick facts
· The process for becoming a cannabis retailer is described on the NTLCC website.
· The NTLCC prepared an information guide for the NWT Retail Cannabis Framework.
· Requests for proposal are published on the GNWT Contract Event Opportunities website.
· The GNWT issued requests for proposals for private cannabis retailers in Hay River, Fort Smith, Norman Wells, Inuvik, and Fort Simpson. These public opportunities are posted to the GNWT Contract Event Opportunities website.
For all Media Requests, please contact:
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories