Skip to content

Shopify chosen to build non-medical cannabis sales platform in B.C.

Wanna buy some non-medical pot online in B.C.? Shopify Inc. will be the one building the pot platform. The Liquor Distribution Branch has selected the e-commerce company to build a platform for the online sale of non-medical cannabis to the public.
marijuana

Wanna buy some non-medical pot online in B.C.?

Shopify Inc. will be the one building the pot platform.

The Liquor Distribution Branch has selected the e-commerce company to build a platform for the online sale of non-medical cannabis to the public. The LDB's online store is expected to launch in early fall, to provide British Columbians with access to non-medical cannabis, once legalized on Oct. 17, 2018.

"Shopify was chosen for its proven record of on-time execution, user-friendly design and long-term approach to anticipating consumer needs beyond the implementation phase," said Blain Lawson, LDB's general manager and CEO, in a news release. "Every decision we make, as we introduce cannabis to our business, is underpinned by the social responsibility we have to our communities, to prevent minors from accessing cannabis, to reduce the criminal element, and to prioritize the health and safety of our customers."

The selection of Shopify, and its Cloud-based software solution, follows a review and evaluation of respondents to a request for proposal posted on BC Bid earlier this year. To be selected, Shopify had to meet a list of requirements, including:

* The creation of two separate websites to fulfill online orders: one for consumers, and another for private retail stores;

* The enabling of age verification on the BC Cannabis Stores' retail website;

* LDB's various systems, including its warehouse management system; and

* Supporting a technology- and service-driven customer care centre.

“To help protect youth from accessing non-medical cannabis products, additional age verification of online orders will be performed by the courier service at the time of delivery to valid addresses within British Columbia,” said a news release. “At-store pickup of online orders is being considered for the future.”

The LDB has secured a location for its distribution centre to accommodate the wholesale supply of non-medical cannabis. The 6,500 square-metre (70,000 square-foot) facility, located on No. 6 Road in Richmond, will include a dedicated customer care call-in centre that caters to private retail store operators, BC Cannabis