Facing closure, independent shop says no money in legal cannabis

As the doorbell at Thomas H. Clarke’s independent legal cannabis shop goes non-stop, its owner laments its looming closure.

“I did $1.4 million in sales, which is the highest sales of any retailer in Newfoundland, as far as I know. And I’m just barely scraping by,” Clarke said Thursday.

Nearly a year into legalization, Clarke says he may have to close his doors in Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s because the eight per cent commission on cannabis sales isn’t holding up — and he wants double.

They’re gonna go back to their dealer.
– Thomas H. Clarke
Clarke said he has 300 customers every day who say his shop is the best they’ve been in, so they’re not the kind of customers who will go to Dominion or Esso when he closes.

“They’re gonna go back to their dealer,” said Clarke, who added that he hopes that dealer isn’t him this time — as he went legal from the black market to “do things legit.”

Read More Here: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/independent-cannabis-retailer-struggling-1.5248383