Alberta cannabis shops no longer required to have blackout windows: AGLC

The Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) commission is changing the rules, allowing cannabis stores to have front windows that aren’t blacked out.

Cannabis stores in Alberta have needed black-out exterior window per AGLC requirements; however, this has made them the target of criminal elements.

A cannabis chain headquartered in Calgary say they have asked for changes to the rules.

“In some cases, these criminal elements came in for cash, in many cases they came in for product. From public policy perspective, that’s quite important because that product is probably being diverted into the illicit market,” said Omar Khan, senior vice president of corporate and public affairs with Hightide Inc.

“Its something that we have been proposing as a company, its also something that has been championed by the Alberta Cannabis Council. As rare as it may be, it doesn’t matter if it happens every day or if it happens every few months,” Khan said.

“Just going into work, knowing that an armed robbery might be a possibility, is quite unsettling.”

According to a release from the AGLC, effective immediately, the section in the retail cannabis store handbook saying “Retailer compliance regarding cannabis visibility to minors is regulated federally under the Cannabis Act,” has been removed.

Khan believes employees will also feel a bit safer, knowing people outside will be able to see what’s happening inside the store.

Approving the change in window policy, AGLC commission has stressed retailers shouldn’t use this as an opportunity to replace window coverings with outward-facing promotions and advertising materials, thus defeating the purpose of this robbery prevention tactic.