In over six weeks since the Government of Nunavut opened the application process for retail cannabis locations in the territory, just one contender has stepped forward.

Nuna Cannabis Ltd. is seeking to set up shop in Iqaluit. Public feedback on that proposal can be sent to the GN until Aug. 20.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have, however, received a lot of interest from potential retailers,SA国际影视传媒� a spokesperson for the Department of Finance informed Nunavut News, SA国际影视传媒�...but (we) cannot provide more details until we have received a formal application.SA国际影视传媒�

The North West Company SA国际影视传媒� owners of Nothern Stores, NorthMarts and Quickstops SA国际影视传媒� did not return numerous calls or messages prior to publication deadline.

A representative of Arctic Co-operatives said if Co-ops delve into selling cannabis, it won't be chain-wide. At the last annual general meeting in May 2019, a resolution to sell cannabis in the communities was defeated, said Duane Wilson, vice-president of stakeholder relations with Arctic Co-operatives.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat was a message from the membership, whether it's that 'We don't want this in our communities' because they've got kind of a community lens, or whether it's 'We don't want this in our community-owned business' because they've got a risk lens and they know there's a heightened risk for break-ins, etc., I can't say,SA国际影视传媒� said Wilson.

There's still an opportunity for individual Co-ops to pursue cannabis sales if they choose, Wilson said.

SA国际影视传媒淚t depends on what the desires of our members are,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that he's not aware of any Nunavut stores pushing ahead with such an initiative.

Arviat North-Whale Cove MLA John Main, who's chair of the regular members' caucus, was vocal in the legislative assembly about the need to make the application process attainable for aspiring entrepreneurs in Nunavut.

He said he's not surprised that no rush of local entrants into the industry has ensued because the cannabis sector in the south has proven to be on SA国际影视传媒渟haky groundSA国际影视传媒� with various companies failing to meet revenue objectives.

SA国际影视传媒淢aybe this thing isn't the homerun money-maker that everyone had envisioned initially,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

It would be reasonable for the GN to enter negotiations with a Northern-based retailer at some point because, otherwise, the territory is missing out on business revenue in the private sector and tax revenue, Main said. Since cannabis legalization in October 2018, Nunavummiut have only been able to purchase the drug legally via GN-approved online retailers.

SA国际影视传媒淲e haven't come close to making a dent in the (illegal) cannabis market so far... in terms of the products they're offering and the convenience,SA国际影视传媒� Main said.

If major retailers do get regulatory clearance to make a foray into cannabis sales in Nunavut, it would be difficult for an independent Nunavummiuq businessperson to get a foothold in the smaller communities, Main acknowledged, but not necessarily impossible.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen the licence application comes in, the community in question will have a role in seeing whether it's approved or not. The level of government that's closest to the community will be given a chance to help shape what this industry will look like,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that the community council may choose a local family-owned and run operation over a large retailer if there are competing applicants.