There was a week in early April that stands as the perfect representation of the topsy turvy reality of the Canadian cannabis industry.
Since then, many cannabis retailers in Ontario, and across the country, have managed to hang on. In some cases, the stores are even thriving. The pandemic has brought with it lasting change in many forms, but one of the least expected is an improved cannabis retail experience. Stoker says that their company, like others operating in the cannabis retail space, had to be agile, quick to adapt — not just to ever-changing regulations but to the reality unfolding on the ground, including taking measures to protect retail workers and potential consumers.
“We’ve entered this new age of cannabis retail, one that obviously is really familiar to your everyday customer, especially the millennial demographic that makes up roughly half of the purchasing power in cannabis,” he says. “There are expectations of modern retail features, largely things that have to do with e-commerce or digital touchpoints.
Pathetic! Adaptable? Justin hands out wads of cash to lazy, dope-addled “students” so they can hang out in the basement all summer sucking on a bong, streaming Netflix. Incredibly adept.