Calgary has seen a surge in violent robberies at cannabis stores, with many of the suspects being teenagers. This trend has persisted despite regulatory changes in 2022 aimed at reducing such crimes. In late August, the Calgary Police Service reported two armed robberies at cannabis outlets in the city’s northwest.

The first incident occurred on August 13 at Tower Cannabis, where two male suspects, believed to be teenagers, entered the store wearing face coverings. They assaulted an employee and threatened him with a firearm. A week later, on August 20, five male teens entered Canna Cabana, also wearing face coverings. Two of them were armed with handguns and threatened both an employee and a customer.

These incidents are part of a broader pattern of youth involvement in cannabis store robberies. Earlier this year, police charged two teenagers in connection with three violent robberies that took place in January and February. In those cases, the assailants physically assaulted employees after asking to see merchandise. Additionally, three other teens were charged in January for their involvement in ten cannabis store robberies dating back to 2023.

Due to their age, the suspects cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. In December, a 19-year-old was charged with 22 offenses related to robberies at 21 cannabis and convenience stores across Alberta, including 17 in Calgary.

While the overall number of cannabis store robberies in Calgary has decreased, police have noted an increase in incidents involving teenagers. So far this year, there have been 12 reported robberies, down from 29 in 2021 and 22 in 2022. Police attribute this decline to enhanced crime prevention measures, such as improved security protocols and collaboration with cannabis retailers.

Chris Felgate, vice-president of the Independent Cannabis Retailers Collective, highlighted the challenges faced by cannabis store owners. He noted that many retailers have experienced break-ins and robberies, which can be financially devastating. "It’s an incredibly taxing exercise to come back from," he said.

Felgate pointed out that the lightweight nature of cannabis products makes them appealing targets for thieves. "Criminals can go into a cannabis store at 3 a.m. when they know police presence is low and walk out with thousands of dollars’ worth of product in a duffel bag," he explained.

Ryan Roch, co-owner of Lake City Cannabis, shared his experiences with robbery attempts. After his store was robbed in 2021, he implemented stricter security measures, including panic buttons for employees and an automatic door-locking system. He noted that many young offenders may not fear serious consequences due to their age.

Calgary police have indicated that the motivations behind these robberies may be complex. Factors such as thrill-seeking, peer pressure, mental health issues, and boredom could contribute to the rise in youth involvement in these crimes.

The regulatory environment surrounding cannabis retail has also evolved. When cannabis was legalized in 2018, regulations required that products be kept out of sight from outside the store, leading to concerns that this made stores more vulnerable to crime. In response to rising robbery rates, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) amended its policies in 2022 to improve safety for employees and customers.

Felgate and Roch agree that removing window coverings has helped deter daytime robberies. However, they noted that many burglaries still occur at night when stores are closed. The AGLC's decision to allow retailers to keep a small amount of product on shelves overnight has also increased risks for store owners.

Roch emphasized the importance of robust security measures, stating, "I have a legal obligation to make sure my staff are safe, so we take that seriously." As the cannabis industry continues to navigate these challenges, both law enforcement and business owners are working to enhance safety and reduce the incidence of robberies.