Come July 1, consumers in Saskatchewan will be able to buy marijuana from stand-alone retail stores or online.

The provincial government has announced that they will issue approximately 60 cannabis retail permits to municipalities and First Nation communities across the province.

Initially, permits will only be granted in communities where the population is 2,500 or more. Additional permits may be allocated for larger communities. Communities will also have the option to opt-out of having a marijuana permits issued for their region.

To qualify to sell marijuana, a retailer will be required to have a stand-alone storefront with the option to also operate an online store. Stores will only be allowed to sell marijuana, marijuana accessories and ancillary items. The stores will be regulated by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.

When it comes to first nations, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations plans to leave it up to the individual reserves to make a decision to sell or not to sell.

"We're going to respect tribal soverinty and whatever each individual decides to do and our job as an executive and as an organization is to support that stance politically as well as with advocacy," FSIN Vice Chief David Pratt said.

The government says an independent third party will be used to assist the SLGA with selecting retail operators through a two-phase process. The first phase will involve screening for financial capacity and the ability to track and report inventory. The second phase will be a random selection lottery.

Retailers in the City of Yorkton will have the opportunity to apply for two cannabis retail permits. Owner of Chronixx Herb and Hemp Shop is hoping to be one of the successful applicants.

"That was the whole point of setting this place up, was for legalization. This is just to kind of get our foot in the door. We've got the location, we're starting to build a client base, people know us, the names getting out there - stuff like that right. But we're still following the rules until full legalization comes,” said David Alcorn, Owner, Chronixx Herb and Hemp Shop.

Selected retailers will also be required to meet a “good character” criterion as part of the permit process.

The province says a decision on the minimum age for marijuana consumption will be made later in the spring.