An established downtown North Battleford business has been approved to sell cannabis after the province granted them a license.
Dale Whiteside, owner of Rockshop Smokeshop, said they have received their cannabis products and expect to have them ready for retail sale Thursday or Friday.
“I’m excited to sell happiness,” said Whiteside.
Rockshop applied for a permit from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority last October.
“It took them five-and-half months to do their due diligence. Then it took another five months to get the building up to code.”
Whiteside also upgraded his security system, installing an $11,000 surveillance and alarm system.
He has operated Rockshop for 12 years and selling legal marijuana was always his end game.
“That was my whole intention, to become a legal pot seller,” he said. “There was no Plan B, there was always just a Plan A.”
Last year the City of North Battleford approved Rockshop’s discretionary land-use application since it met the city’s bylaw requirements. The shop keeps at least a 225-metre buffer from schools and parks.
Whiteside said he believes he is the only independent and locally owned cannabis seller in North Battleford and hopes to compete against the corporate-backed cannabis stores in the city. He is located at 1221 A – 101 Street and has expanded hours, including being open on Sundays and holidays.
“We’re North Battleford’s downtown pot store,” he said.
Rockshop sells cannabis accessories, CBD products and a variety of recreational cannabis.
“We will have beginner to the connoisseur,” said Whiteside.
