About

Formerly known as Liquor Stores, Alcanna is a major alcohol retailer in Alberta, British Columbia, Alaska, New Jersey and Kentucky. Matthew Hewson, vice president and general counsel, leads a legal team that has been instrumental in bringing in managing the legal aspects of Alcanna’s name change, as well as its new cannabis product lines. The Edmonton, Alberta based firm is leading the way in the commercialisation of cannabis based products, which were recently legalised in Canada, and is one of the first of the big retailers to get involved in this burgeoning industry. The legal team is heavily involved in the roll out of these products and the company’s new brand Nova Cannabis. In addition to the cannabis expansion, the team is responsible for the company’s entire legal operations of its liqueur retailing business of more than 235 stores. This includes several licensing, compliance and regulatory matters. In this rapidly evolving industry the Alcanna legal team has demonstrated adaptability and skill in charting new legal waters.