Alberta’s cannabis regulator sent a warning to pot retailers and suppliers after receiving complaints about agreements requiring marijuana producers to purchase sales data in exchange for shops carrying their products.
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis spokesperson Karin Campbell says forcing cannabis suppliers to buy sales data in exchange for stocking products is considered an inducement, which violates the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act.
She says the six complaints the AGLC received about the practice were made over the last few months and came from suppliers and stores.
Campbell says each complaint had insufficient evidence to substantiate an offence, but the organization is continuing to monitor the situation.
Cannabis retailers and suppliers were alerted to the complaints last week, when AGLC compliance director Rob Pape sent them a letter warning that making sales contingent on a data purchase was a violation of the province’s cannabis regulations.
The letter came as competition in the cannabis sector is high because the number of pot shops is swelling and licensed producers are struggling to reach profitability.