Its been just over two years since cannabis was legalized in Canada in 2018, and the city of Kamloops is currently home to 12 legal stores, three of which are government run.

Business License Inspector Dave Jones says a couple more stores are expected to open up in the next few months.

“The province has contacted us and advised that two or three other ones that have now passed their approval in principal, so we now expect more applications for building permits and business licensing to move those ones forward as well,” he said.

“We’re right on track with our thoughts of where we’d be.”

Kamloops city council has so far supported over 20 applications from prospective cannabis store owners who are looking to set up shop in the city.

Jones says there is also one legal cannabis store that is operating on Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc land, with a few others operating on the reserve without approval from the provincial government.

“I am continuing to have communications with people who have called in looking to come into Kamloops. I believe originally at one time, I thought we have probably have somewhere around the 20 store mark,” Jones added. “We’re slowly getting there, but I mean I would say that if we had 15 stores by the end of 2021, we’re doing pretty good.”

“I believe some of the stores that council had approved to come to Kamloops are going through the process. They are looking at the business model and either determining to open up or maybe to sell that site now to another opportunity for other owners.”

The province’s first cannabis store opened up in Kamloops on Oct. 17, 2018.