Cannabis NB opening three new locations

| David Brown

Cannabis NB has announced two new store openings, with one more set to open in early June, bringing the total number of provincially run cannabis stores in the province to 30. 

The first of the three, located in Saint John, opened on Friday at 147 McAllister Dr. The second, located in Monton at 824 Mountain Rd, opened earlier this week. The third, located at 1735 Hanwell Rd. in Hanwell, is expected to open in June.

The Hanwell store will be the thirtieth Cannabis NB location in the province. The three locations are for underserved parts of the province, says the agency.

“By offering quality cannabis products, regulated and approved by Health Canada, we are fulfilling Cannabis NB’s goal of educating consumers about the responsible use of cannabis, and working to reduce the illicit market,” said Lori Stickles, CEO of Cannabis NB, in a Tuesday news release, as reported by CTV News.

New Brunswick also has nine privately-run cannabis stores*, supplied through the provincial distribution system, and seven farmgate locations in which federal cannabis producers also operate their own retail store, on-site. A tenth store recently opened, but another private store, Cost Cannabis in Blackville, recently closed.

Cannabis NB announced an RFQ for four more private cannabis stores in the province earlier this year. 

Cannabis sales in New Brunswick were $25.4 million in the three months ended December 29, 2024 (Q3 2024). 

Sales in New Brunswick were up 6.3% year-over-year but declined from the $27 million worth of cannabis sold in the three months ended September 29, 2024. 

Cannabis NB reported 398,000 transactions in the most recent quarter, with an average ticket size of $59.91. This represents a year-over-year increase from more than 382,000 transactions, but a decline in the average ticket size to $62.37.

In its 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, the provincial cannabis agency also says it’s looking to increase opportunities for private sector participation in the legal cannabis market in New Brunswick and explore possible options for “on-site consumption opportunities” that can increase legal access and “meet the needs of current and potential customers.”

A recent annual report from Cannabis NB shows that while dried cannabis flower continues to make up the majority of sales, its market share, like in many other provincial markets, is shrinking as concentrate sales increase. New Brunswickers prefer more “convenient” cannabis products as the market continues to shift to products like vape pens, concentrates, and pre-rolls, especially infused pre-rolls, notes the report.

Note: This article has been edited to include info about the closure of the Cost Canna Blackville location.

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