It took 14 months, but Cannabis Connection is open on Industrial Way.
“We’re so excited to finally be open,” said Tina Cox, manager of Cannabis Connection.
The store is the first municipally rezoned and licensed non-medical cannabis store in the City of Chilliwack and the second cannabis retailer in the local area.
The Cannabis Connections staff has been ready to go for months, after a portion of the property was rezoned C9 in April. But it’s taken this long to get the licence in place from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.
“It’s a long and expensive process to get a retail cannabis licence, but we believe it’s important to have legal marijuana available for people to buy in a safe and comfortable environment.” Cox said.
“There has been quite a learning curve, and a lot of back and forth on both sides.”
The grand opening celebration is on Nov. 8, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 43971 Industrial Way. The store had its soft opening on October 25.
LP reps from Aurora and Canopy Growth will be on-hand at the grand opening with educational information and swag.
Cannabis Connection is owned by Lickman Travel Centre Inc., which has been doing business in Chilliwack for more than 30 years. Lickman Travel also owns Lickman Liquor Store as well as the hotel that both businesses are connected to, employing a total of about 100 local workers at the various business ventures.