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📋 Licensing Overview in Canada by Province

Compare licensing overview for cannabis businesses across all Canadian provinces and territories. Click any province for full details.

Province / TerritoryRetail ModelSummary
Alberta Private Retail The AGLC issues cannabis retail licences in Alberta. The province operates a fully private retail model with no government-run stores and no cap on li...
British Columbia Hybrid (Public & Private) The BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) issues retail cannabis licences. BC supports both private stores and government BC Cannabis Stores...
Manitoba Hybrid (Public & Private) The LGCA issues Cannabis Retail Store Licences in Manitoba. The province uses a fully private retail model with no government stores and no licence ca...
New Brunswick Government Retail New Brunswick initially used a government-only model through Cannabis NB but later introduced private retail licences. Cannabis NB remains the sole wh...
Newfoundland and Labrador Government Retail The NLC issues cannabis retail licences for Newfoundland and Labrador's private retail model. The NLC serves as sole wholesale distributor, purchasing...
Northwest Territories Limited Access The NWT Liquor and Cannabis Commission issues retail cannabis licences under a hybrid model. Government stores operate primarily in Yellowknife, while...
Nova Scotia Government Retail Nova Scotia uses a government-only retail model through the NSLC. There is no private retail licensing. Licensed producers supply the NSLC through a p...
Nunavut Limited Access The NULC manages cannabis retail in Nunavut's government-controlled model. Private retail opportunities are extremely limited due to the small, disper...
Ontario Hybrid (Public & Private) The AGCO issues Retail Operator Licences and Cannabis Retail Store Authorizations. Ontario removed its initial cap on store licences in 2020, leading ...
Prince Edward Island Government Retail PEI uses a government-only retail model through the PEI Cannabis Management Corporation. There is no private retail licensing. A small number of gover...
Quebec Government Retail Quebec operates a government-only retail model through the SQDC, a subsidiary of the SAQ (Societe des alcools du Quebec). There are no private cannabi...
Saskatchewan Private Retail The SLGA issues Cannabis Retail Store Permits for Saskatchewan's fully private retail model. No government stores operate in the province. There is no...
Yukon Limited Access The YLC issues private cannabis retail licences under Yukon's hybrid model. Government YLC stores and private retailers both operate. The YLC is the s...

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For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Regulations change frequently — always verify with Health Canada and your provincial regulator, and consult an attorney. Read full disclaimer