Shoppers Drug Mart to Launch Online Sales of Legal Medical Cannabis in Canada

According to recent news from Canada, the country’s Ministry of Health has officially authorized the Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy chain to begin selling medical cannabis through a dedicated online store. Representatives from the ministry report that this will be the first store in the country allowed to sell not only cannabis flower but also various forms of cannabis extracts, including previously prohibited products with high THC concentrations.

Currently, the online store is operating in test mode. A message on the website states that it will soon begin serving Canadian citizens who have documentation confirming their participation in the national medical cannabis distribution system.

A spokesperson for Loblaw Holdings, the company that owns the Shoppers Drug Mart brand, also told reporters that cannabis sales are expected to start soon, likely before the end of the year. She clarified that the company is still finalizing certain details of the distribution agreement with the Ministry of Health.

It’s worth noting that the pharmacy chain first applied for the right to sell and produce legal cannabis back in October 2016. Ultimately, the license to produce cannabis plants was formally granted at the end of September this year. Company representatives have stated that the license will be used exclusively for storage and resale of cannabis. Despite having the right to produce plants, the company has chosen to partner with third-party cultivators to source their products.

At present, Canadian residents can legally purchase both medical and recreational cannabis. However, due to a lack of retail outlets for such products, legal cannabis can only be purchased through a few stores operated by provincial governments, most of which conduct business online.