Hiku Brands Company Ltd. (CSE: HIKU), is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tokyo Smoke, with participation by BOBHQ, has been conditionally awarded one of four master retail licenses in Manitoba's highly competitive Request for Proposal process for the right to operate retail cannabis stores. The License gives Tokyo Smoke the ability to operate legal retail cannabis stores and an online cannabis sales platform in Manitoba. This represents a significant milestone for Hiku and BOBHQ as one of only four successful entities selected in a highly competitive process.
Hiku is excited to bring its award winning retail experience to Manitoba and Manitoba cannabis consumers. The Company commends the leadership shown by the Province of Manitoba in setting up a competitive, privatized cannabis retail system to ensure the responsible management of cannabis distribution and sales within the province ahead of the anticipated adult-use legalization date of Summer 2018.
"We are honoured to be selected as one of four companies to operate retail cannabis stores in Manitoba", said Alan Gertner, CEO of Hiku. "This achievement is a validation of our business model and vision of creating an unsurpassed retail experience for cannabis consumers. It is also a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our team and consultants -- BOBHQ and 4Front Advisors -- who helped us achieve this milestone. We look forward to participating in future licensing processes across the country to grow our national retail footprint and bring our unique retail experience to more Canadians."
"We are thrilled to have been awarded one of four licenses in our home province of Manitoba alongside our valued partners at Hiku", said BOBHQ co-founder Robert Ritchot. "We have the utmost confidence in our ability to provide our community with an industry-leading retail experience, while closely adhering to both Provincial and Federal legislation."
As a retail cannabis organization, Tokyo Smoke will also participate in and contribute to social responsibility programs to provide comprehensive cannabis education to retail cannabis store customers and raise awareness of the social responsibility that comes with adult cannabis use. The Company is fully supportive of the Manitoba government's clear policy initiatives as it relates to cannabis retail, including, social responsibility, education, protecting children and youth and preventing diversion of product to the black market.
About Hiku
Hiku is focused on building a portfolio of iconic, engaging cannabis brands, immersive retail experiences and handcrafted cannabis production. With a national retail footprint led by Tokyo Smoke, craft cannabis production through DOJA's ACMPR licensed grow, and Van der Pop's female-focused educational platforms, Hiku houses an industry-leading portfolio that sets the bar for cannabis brands in Canada.
DOJA Cannabis, Hiku's wholly-owned subsidiary, is a federally licensed producer of craft cannabis pursuant to the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (the "ACMPR"). DOJA owns and operates two production facilities in the heart of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. The Company operates a network of retail stores selling coffee, clothing and curated accessories, across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
About BOBHQ
BOBHQ, a division of Humble & Fume, is a leading North American distributor of smoke shop and counterculture products with many decades of experience. With retail locations in Manitoba and distribution facilities in Canada and across the U.S., the company is able to efficiently distribute over 10,000 different products to thousands of customers throughout North America and abroad.
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