AGLC, police re-examining cannabis store rules after spate of violent crimes
CBC
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) is looking at possible changes to its rules around product displays in cannabis stores as Calgary experiences a rise in crimes targeting the retailers.
Stores around the city are complaining that the window coverings seen at many locations are providing cover for robbers to assault staff and steal.
"This has been a major concern for us since the beginning. We took our window coverings down because of it," said Ashley Newman, founder of Queen of Bud.
"Robberies could have been prevented and staff could have been protected if someone driving by or in the parking lot could see someone being held at gunpoint or a robbery was taking place."
Window coverings are not mandated by federal or provincial cannabis legislation; however, the products cannot be displayed where a young person can see them or be visible from outside the premises.
Vinyl, paper or signage covering the storefront windows is the most common way stores comply with that requirement, according to the AGLC. Some stores split up the floor plan with walls to comply with the visibility rules and avoid window coverings.
Police say they've seen a major uptick in the past 18 months in these crimes targeting cannabis retailers — and more are turning violent.
"We certainly haven't seen anything like this. There's been the odd robbery here and there, but nothing like a consistent trend until 2021," said Sgt. Nick Wilsher of the Calgary Police Service's crime prevention team.
"That is the biggest issue that we have, is the coverings on stores."
There were 29 cannabis store robberies last year, and 10 so far this year. Almost half involved violence or threats of violence. Police have started suggesting owners remove the window coverings.
Wilsher said the police service told the AGLC that other options need to be explored, such as reducing the height of the window coverings or removing them altogether. CPS has also suggested stores have functioning panic alarms, improve the placement of security cameras and store their stock in a vault.
"We're looking at that situation right now and considering our options," said Rob Pape, the director of compliance for the AGLC.
Pape added these crimes have become much more prevalent, prompting discussions about tweaking provincial policy.
The AGLC supports enforcement of the federal Cannabis Act and has enacted its own policy handbook provincially. Any changes being considered have to be done in consultation with Health Canada.
It was sometime in 2008 that Henry Walter got a message from his lawyer.
When Fredericton High School student Matthew Jeon wanted to start saving money for university, he started applying for summer jobs.
After yet another major flood at the Sainte-Croix Hospital in Drummondville, Que., family doctor Catherine Tétreault says the situation at the facility has reached a point of no return.
As the calendar is about to flip to an election year in Winnipeg, the time is growing short for candidates to mount a serious electoral challenge to Mayor Scott Gillingham.
Claude Hardenne occasionally tries out new packaging or moulds for his locally made chocolates, but he would never tinker with the recipes Harden & Huyse has used for almost 50 years.
The Supreme Court of Canada has upheld the first-degree murder conviction of the gang leader at the centre of the murder of Tiki Laverdiere.
As temperatures plunge and Islanders crank up the heat, the City of Summerside is preparing its power plans amid mounting pressure on P.E.I.’s electricity grid.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse.
Ten years ago, Canada responded to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Syria with an unprecedented program that rapidly resettled 25,000 Syrian refugees in roughly 100 days.
Alberta separatist leaders expect to start canvassing in January to get their independence referendum question on the ballot, thanks to the provincial government’s latest legislation to make it easier for them to succeed.
With the holiday season fast approaching, plenty of people are making a list and checking it twice. But for many in Thunder Bay, Ont., a hot meal is their number one concern of the season.
As Mayor Olivia Chow heads into what could be her final year leading Toronto — or final test before she asks voters to re-elect her in the fall — she’s reassuring ratepayers that they won’t see property taxes rise as sharply as they did earlier in her term.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel says she worries about how recent actions by U.S. public health agencies, like removing a universal hepatitis B vaccine recommendation for American infants, could hurt Canadians’ health.