Cannabis stores in British Columbia have been forced to close their doors due to a 10-day strike by the B. C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU). The strike has caused a disruption in the supply of cannabis to the stores, leaving many out of work and customers without access to their products.
The effects of the strike could be felt throughout the private market, as the province's monopoly on the cannabis market will cause a shortage of supplies for consumers. The BCGEU, which represents 33,000 workers, agreed on Tuesday to resume bargaining at the province's request. The parties are trapped in a high-risk negotiation, and the BCGEU is likely to set the standard for 400,000 public sector workers whose contract ends this year. The union appears to be looking for wage increases to cover inflation, which now stands at eight percent in Canada, far from the 3.5 percent per year offered by the province. The Ministry of Finance and the Liquor Distribution Branch did not immediately respond Wednesday to questions about the new initiative or if there were plans for other ways to supply cannabis to retail stores in the meantime.
Private liquor stores, bars and restaurants can source beer and wine and, to a small extent, liquors such as vodka and gin, directly from local producers. However, cannabis retailers can only purchase their products directly at government alcohol wholesale and distribution centers in Delta, Richmond, Kamloops and Victoria. The current system only allows legal cannabis stores and government-owned stores to obtain their supply of B. cannabis. While the strike does not affect private cannabis retailers, the owner of the Queensborough cannabis dispensary believes that the effects of the strike could be felt throughout the private market. Jaclynn Pehota, Executive Director of the B.
Cannabis Retail Council said that producers who were supposed to start early last week right when the strike began are now paralyzed. Business hours have also been reduced at the Burb store in Vancouver and another on Vancouver Island. Clayton Chessa, co-founder and chief operating officer of Burb said that if the strike is not resolved soon, or if there are any alternative solutions to be able to obtain cannabis only through the warehouses of the alcoholic beverage distribution branch, all stores will close. He has little to do but he hopes that the strike will be resolved quickly. Spensir Sangara, owner of THC Canada said that customers are more than likely to turn to the illicit market again if they can't find cannabis stores with remaining stocks. That's also true for people who use marijuana for medical reasons and source from retail stores. THC had just received a delivery of cannabis before the strike so Sangara said his store is in a slightly better position than others.
But if the strike continues for a couple of weeks all stores will close. BCLDB said that BC Cannabis stores continue to operate and serve customers normally, although online orders are not being accepted. Depending on customer volume you could keep that store open another week. The effects of this strike are far-reaching and could have long-term implications for both consumers and businesses alike. It is essential that both parties come together quickly to resolve this dispute so that consumers can access their products safely and businesses can continue operating without disruption.
