As New Brunswick’s legal Cannabis NB market expands, the Crown corporation behind it is loosening its grip on who can sell marijuana. Store shelves now burst with color — from gummy bears to shatters, vaporizer cartridges to edibles. And while the corporate-owned stores still don’t feature mermaids, signs boast same-day delivery. Showing less restraint is one way the company hopes to compete with the illicit market that’s already claiming half of New Brunswick’s pot customers, estimates Crown Minister of Cannabis Heather Regan.

Retailers such as McCannabis in Salisbury, which opened this summer, can now offer a wider variety of products and price them how they want – as long as it’s within Cannabis NB’s guidelines. But it’s too early to know whether the private stores are having an impact on the Crown’s profits. Product sales are up, but costs are increasing as well.

“Cannabis NB: Exploring New Brunswick’s Cannabis Retail Scene

Meanwhile, the company has opened two more stores this quarter, including a seasonal pop-up at 334 Queen Street in Fredericton and a corporate store at 76 Germain St. in Saint John. It also launched its FarmGate program, which lets licensed producers sell their own products onsite at their facilities.

This year, ANBL and Cannabis NB are finalists for the Retail Council of Canada’s Excellence in Retailing Awards 2023. The finalists are being recognized for their innovation, design and retail marketing including the Area 506 Container Village pop-up and the Good to Know campaign. The Board is pleased to congratulate both ANBL and Cannabis NB on these awards and supports the efforts of the team to achieve, or exceed, results.