Alberta to provide police funding when pot legalized, 17 stores ready to open
Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci speaks about the Government of Alberta's 2016-17 year-end financial results, in Edmonton on Thursday, June 29, 2017. Alberta's subsidy plan to boost its own craft beer industry has been defeated again at the dispute resolution table. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
CALGARY – Alberta will be providing $11.2 million to help municipalities with policing after recreational cannabis becomes legal on Wednesday.
Finance Minister Joe Ceci says the funding will go to municipalities that have their own policing costs.
He says 60 per cent of the money will be made available this fiscal year, with the remaining funds distributed next year.
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The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis commission says 17 retail shops have been approved so far to open with interim licences Wednesday.
It expects another 250 locations will open within one year.
The commission says its online retail store, albertacannabis.org the only legal online offering in Alberta, will also launch just after midnight Wednesday.