News Release:  Muse to redefine recreational cannabis in BC with approvals to open in South Granville and Campbell River

Additional locations pending in New Westminster, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, North Vancouver, Courtenay, and Williams Lake  

Vancouver, BC, April 2, 2019 -- Muse Cannabis has approval from the City of Vancouver, the City of Campbell River, and the Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch to open in both South Granville and Campbell River. As the first retailer to get the green light from the City of Campbell River and now the LCRB, Muse is poised to be Campbell River’s first legal recreational cannabis store. Muse South Granville is tentatively set to open in May, with Campbell River’s opening scheduled for June.

"The local business community in South Granville is already welcoming us with open arms,” said Mike McKee, Partner and CFO of Muse Cannabis. "We spent time canvassing local businesses throughout the application process and our future neighbours couldn’t be more excited to see us open.”

There’s a similar sentiment from Campbell River, where the biggest concern had nothing to do with cannabis. “Local residents are expecting Muse to be a big draw and they’re mostly worried about increased traffic in the area,” explained McKee. “The overwhelmingly positive feedback in Vancouver, Campbell River signifies a long overdue shift in how people view cannabis in BC.”

While Muse is new to BC’s cannabis industry, its partners including McKee, are behind JAK’S Beer Wine Spirits, and operate 15 stores across Metro Vancouver, Penticton, Williams Lake and Campbell River, with decades of experience in liquor retail.

"There are many synergies between selling liquor and cannabis, and we know how to operate and grow within the regulatory framework," said McKee.

With its plans for larger-format stores and a focus on design paired with premium quality brands and a concierge experience, Muse will be doing things differently in the recreational cannabis space to appeal to a wider demographic. “There’s no longer a ‘type’ of person who uses cannabis — it’s you and me, it’s people who make our community great: soccer moms and dads, business leaders, grandparents,” said McKee.

Muse has plans to expand in BC and is currently working on locations in New Westminster, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, North Vancouver, Courtenay, and Williams Lake. Muse aims to have all eight stores open by June 2020.