It’s been nine months since Canada officially legalized recreational cannabis last October. And a lot of B.C. communities are still waiting patiently for their first sanctioned dispensary.

Finally, three-quarters of a year later, Vancouver Island residents are about to be able to purchase cannabis over the counter for the very first time.

Tomorrow (July 31), A B.C. Cannabis Store (the green equivalent of a government B.C. Liquor Store) will open its doors on the island’s central-east coast, in Campbell River. The shop’s exact location is at the Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre at 1416 Island Highway.

“B.C. Cannabis Stores is committed to being a good neighbour and integrating into the Campbell River community,” Kevin Satterfield, director of retail operations, told the Campbell River Mirror.

According to a government website, the establishment of the Campbell River store will soon be followed by B.C. Cannabis Stores opening on Vancouver Island in Port Alberni, Courtenay, and Parksville.

https://twitter.com/BCCannabisStore/status/1154515807658860545

The Campbell River shop will be the third B.C. Cannabis Store to open in the province. The first two are both in Kamloops.

Other locations listed on the province’s website as “opening soon” include Cranbrook, Fort St. John, Penticton, Powell River, and Quesnel, among others.