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Cannabis License

Different orders of government and government agencies are responsible for different aspects of cannabis legalization, regulation and enforcement. 

The federal government's Cannabis Act (Bill C-45)  provides legal access to cannabis and controls and regulates its production, distribution and sale.  Under the Cannabis Act, each province has the ability to set its own rules for cannabis.  

The Cannabis Control (Saskatchewan) Act (Bill 121), passed by the provincial government, sets forth the rules and regulations for cannabis use in Saskatchewan.  The Cannabis Control (Saskatchewan) Act strictly prohibits the consumption of cannabis in a public place.  This means cannabis may only be consumed on private property.  The City's Bylaw No. 8286, The Smoking Control Bylaw, 2004, has been amended to reflect this. 

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) is responsible for regulating the industry in the province, including permitting and monitoring the operation of local wholesalers and retailers, as well as working with the federal government and other provinces and territories to track cannabis as it moves through the supply chain. Cannabis retail stores must be standalone operations, selling only federally licensed cannabis, cannabis accessories and ancillary items as defined by SLGA.  For a list of all of the licensed cannabis retail stores in Saskatoon, consult SLGA's list of cannabis retailers.  

The Saskatoon Police Service is responsible for enforcing all federal and provincial cannabis laws, as well as the City's Smoking Control Bylaw.

The City is responsible for regulations related to land use and business activity within the city.  Cannabis retail, wholesale and production facility locations are subject to the City’s municipal zoning and licensing bylaws.

Cannabis Business Zoning

On June 25, 2018, City Council approved amendments to the City's Zoning Bylaw to regulate cannabis-related businesses.   The regulations provide accommodation for cannabis retail stores and cannabis production facilities to be established in Saskatoon, while ensuring they are appropriately separated from sensitive land uses such as elementary and high schools, parks, community centres, public libraries and child care centres. 

Cannabis retail stores are permitted uses in some commercial, mixed use and industrial zoning districts, provided they meet all separation distance requirements. Cannabis production facilities are permitted uses in IL1 and IH zoning districts, and are also required to meet separation distance requirements. Please email us with proposed sites prior to formally applying and we can assist in determining if a site meets zoning and separation distance requirements.

Cannabis Business Licenses

Also on June 25, 2018, City Council passed Bylaw No. 9525, The Cannabis License Bylaw. The Bylaw includes provisions similar to those that apply to other businesses in the city, with additional regulations for cannabis retailers and production facilities. The intent of the Cannabis License Bylaw is to provide tools to regulate the operation of cannabis-related businesses in Saskatoon. This includes specific provisions that will assist with the enforcement of unauthorized cannabis-related businesses and will ensure that the health, safety and welfare of Saskatoon residents is maintained. Initial license fees for cannabis retail stores and cannabis production facilities are $550. Annual renewal fees are $95, and if a cannabis-related business changes location, the license fee is $135.  

In September 2020, SLGA removed the cap on the number of cannabis retail stores permitted to operate in Saskatchewan. In light of this change, a process guide for how to apply for new cannabis retail store permits in Saskatoon has been developed, and is available here. 

The application form for cannabis retail stores and cannabis production facilities is available here. Once the form has been completed, it can be mailed to our office with a cheque or it can be submitted by e-mail, and one of our staff will arrange to receive the license fee payment. Both mailing information and the Business License Program e-mail address are available on the second page of the application form. Please do not submit a commercial business license online for cannabis operations as you will be charged an incorrect business licence fee.

 

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