New Brunswick wants to ditch province's Cannabis NB The New Brunswick government plans to hand over recreational cannabis sales to the private sector, according to the province's finance minister.
Finance Minister Ernie Steeves announced Thursday the provincial government has issued a request for proposals for a single, private operator to "undertake the operation, distribution and sales of recreational cannabis in New Brunswick."
"This is part of our efforts to energize the private sector, get our financial house in order and maximize the benefits for taxpayers and the government," Steeves said.
Cannabis NB, the provincially owned and operated cannabis distributor, has been a money-loser since the outset of legalization in October 2018. New Brunswick is among several provinces dissatisfied with their retail cannabis model and proposing to overhaul the system.
Proponents interested in taking over cannabis sales will need to demonstrate experience in recreational sales, financial capacity to develop and sustain operations and "a viable plan" to combat the illegal market, the provincial government said. They have until Jan. 10, 2020, to submit their proposals.
The proposals will be evaluated by a third-party fairness monitor. A new private operator could be announced as early as spring 2020, with a new delivery model later next year. COULD BE ZENABIS