BRICKS, MORTAR, AND GREEN Shopify is about to become the online platform for the sale of legal marijuana in British Columbia. BC plans to house its supply of marijuana in a warehouse in Richmond, BC, and to use Shopify as its distribution channel. Shopify was selected because "because of its proven record of on-time service, user-friendly design and approach to anticipating consumer needs. While Shopify approached all the provinces and territories to provide distribution services, only its BC and Ontario bids were successful. In the case of BC, Shopify will create two separate websites to fulfill online orders: one for consumers, and another that will allow private retail stores to verify the age of purchasers on the BC Cannabis Stores' retail THE CANADIAN PRESS Yoon website. Couriers will be required to also verify the age of buyers at delivery. In July 2018 Shopify announced that it will have its first bricks-and-mortar location. Shopify will create a permanent space for its merchants in Los Angeles. Its space is in ROW DTLA, a creative and commercial area located in a historic area and a major hub for the distribution of produce across the region. Shopify chose the location as many of its mer- chants work in the Los Angeles region. Shopify plans to pro- vide various services such as in-person support, events, and workshops. Shopify hopes that its downtown LA location will help its merchants grow and will attract more diverse merchants in the future. SOURCES: M. Hager "B.C. Announces Richmond Warehouse, Shopily Platform for Online Pot Sales The Globe and Mail, June 22, 2018, accessed from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british -columbia/article-be-announces-richmond-warehouse-shopify-platform-for-online-pot, September 28, 2018. "ROWDTLA accessed from https://rowdtla.com/history. July 28, 2018: Shopify Team, "Shopify's Fint Permanent Home for Helping Merchants in Person is Coming to LA" July 25, 2018, accessed from https:// www.shopify.com/press/news/shopifys-first-permanent-home-for-helping-merchants-in-persan-is coming-to-la, September 28, 2018 Apply Your Understanding 1. Should Shopify support the marijuana industry? Why or why not? 2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Shopify having a physical space for its merchants? 3. Should Shopify expand its physical presence? If so, what sort of decision process should it use to consider the possibility?