1st pot shop ready to open

The Okanagan's first licensed marijuana store will open its doors at 9 a.m. Monday.

Spiritleaf in the Anderson Subdivision will open for business on Canada Day and Sarah Ballentyne, who will be operating the store with her husband Carson, said once it was known their store was ready to open, the response was overwhelming.

Canada legalized marijuana in October, 2018, but a long and complicated process meant there was only one store in all of B.C. that could legally sell pot.

But that is changing as more stores come on line. Salmon Arm has two stores, Sicamous has one, Kamloops has two, and now the Okanagan has its first.

Vernon city council forwarded more than 10 requests for approval onto the province which ultimately decides who will get a license.

Numerous requests are also being fielded in Kelowna and Penticton.

As for Spiritleaf, they have everything in place and are ready to go.

“We have a variety of strains. We have some high THC, high CBD, dried flower, soft gels and oils, as well as oral sprays,” said Ballentyne.

Spiritleaf will not have edibles like cookies or gummies, but they do have soft gels which is a form of edible THC with no smell and no calories.

Staff has been trained on the various aspects of marijuana.

“We are going to focus on education. There will be pamphlets around the store from a variety of different licensed producers,” said Ballentyne.