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B.C.’s first government pot shop opens its doors in Kamloops

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B.C.’s first government pot store opens its doors
WATCH: B.C.'s first government pot store opens its doors – Oct 17, 2018

Cannabis is now legal in Canada and government-run pot shops have been opening up around the country.

In B.C. the first government-run cannabis store is located in Kamloops in the Columbia Place Shopping Centre.

It opened its doors at 10 a.m. with about 100 people waiting in line.

Some people arrived as early as 2 a.m.

“I’m just excited that we have a store finally,” the first person in line told Global News. “It was like Christmas last night, I was so giddy.”

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Once inside, buyers need to provide two pieces of ID at the door.

In plastic containers, buyers can see and smell the product before filling out their order, paying for it at the front of the store, and then getting their legal weed.

Provincial cannabis regulations allow sales from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week, but the Kamloops will open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

WATCH: A look inside B.C.’s first legal pot shop in Kamloops

Click to play video: 'A look inside B.C.’s first legal pot shop in Kamloops'
A look inside B.C.’s first legal pot shop in Kamloops

There are 75 strains available at the legal store in Kamloops but the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) is confident supply will ramp up in the coming weeks.

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A website for B.C. buyers is also now open for business.

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The orders will be shipped from the B.C. Liquor distribution centre within 48 hours with a $10 shipping fee added to each order.

There are 85 strains available on the website.

MORE: For the launch of our weekly newsletter Cannabis IQ, we’re giving away $100 Visa gift cards. Click here to find out more

What you need to know

You must be at least 19 years old to purchase cannabis in B.C.

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Non-medical cannabis will only be sold in standalone cannabis retail stores, and will not be sold alongside other products, such as liquor.

WATCH: A look inside B.C.’s first legal pot shop in Kamloops

Click to play video: 'A look inside B.C.’s first legal pot shop in Kamloops'
A look inside B.C.’s first legal pot shop in Kamloops

Public and private stores will be allowed to sell dried cannabis, cannabis oils that comply with federal requirements, and seeds.

MORE: Sign up for Cannabis IQ, a weekly newsletter covering legalization

Rules for smoking cannabis in public will be subject to existing smoking restrictions and local bylaws.

Those over the age of 19 will also be allowed to grow non-medical cannabis in their home — up to four plants per household but they cannot be visible to the public.

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Carrying marijuana across international boundaries is illegal.

It will still be against the law to pack bags with pot when travelling internationally even into areas or U.S. states where marijuana is already legal.

“As long as the flight is domestic, people are allowed to bring up to a certain quantity for their personal use,” Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau said.

“However, I would remind people if they’re going to a country like the United States – the rules of that country are the rules that apply.”

While pot is legal in several U.S. states, it’s not on a federal level and you could face serious criminal penalties.

According to Transport Canada, passengers will be permitted up to 30 grams of cannabis in either their carry-on bag or tucked away in their checked luggage.

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