Toronto firm to launch ‘Uber Eats-style’ cannabis platform

, Toronto firm to launch ‘Uber Eats-style’ cannabis platform

A company operating Canada’s first mobile app marketplace for alcohol is extending its reach to the nation’s regulated adult-use cannabis industry.

Toronto-based Boozer on Thursday unveiled its wholly owned subsidiary, Super Anytime, which aims to provide a marketplace for consumers to purchase marijuana products from various licensed retailers – making it “first to market with an Uber Eats-style platform that is legal and compliant in Canada,” chair Aaron Salz said.

The new business could potentially boost sales in provinces that have seen weak online orders since legalization – pending regulatory approval for such deliveries.

After “extensive” work with government regulators, the company said it’s preparing to launch Super this summer in Manitoba and Saskatchewan – two provinces that allow private businesses to sell recreational cannabis online – in a compliant manner within the boundaries of the respective provincial regulations.

The company plans to add other provinces once regulations permit.

Salz said the company has spoken with most provinces about its planned service.

He said Super could start in some jurisdictions using a “click and collect” model, which would be “followed by marketplace as regulations evolve to include additional access points for consumers.”

“We also believe we can rework the platform to suit regulatory complexities in each province, so some may be only click-and-collect-like functions, and others full marketplace,” he said.

That scenario would apply to provinces such as British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, whose governments have monopolized online cannabis orders and, thus, shut out private sector capital.

The Super service would cost retailers a commission, an amount that has not been finalized yet.

The company also signed a letter of intent for a strategic partnership with Oakville, Ontario-based Pineapple Express Delivery to fulfill same-day orders.

Online recreational cannabis orders have been a major disappointment in most of Canada since legalization last October – particularly in provinces that banned privately owned retailers from selling marijuana online.

For example, Quebec’s monopoly online store sold only 14 million Canadian dollars ($10.5 million) worth of cannabis products in the first six months of legalization – accounting for a quarter of its CA$71 million sales.

British Columbia and Ontario have also largely failed to win over online consumers.

Pineapple Express has already partnered with federally licensed cultivators to offer quick delivery of medical and adult-use cannabis in some provinces.

Vancouver, British Columbia-based ParcelPal is another company looking to deliver marijuana, in addition to grocery, retail and alcohol, in every major city in Canada.

Matt Lamers can be reached at mattl@mjbizdaily.com