No Limits on the Number of Cannabis Dispensaries in Ontario, Canada

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]O[/dropcap]ntario Attorney General Caroline Mulroney and Finance Minister Vic Fedeli made headlines at a press conference in Queen’s Park by announcing that there will be no limitations placed on the number of licenses issued in the province of Ontario, Canada for private cannabis businesses.

Under the new legislation, all private cannabis sellers will be able to operate as long as requirements are met. Applicants must have approvals from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the provincial regulator that has the authorization to grant such licenses. Businesses need both a retail operating license and a retail store authorization.

“This is an opportunity for small business to get involved, so we want to allow for as many participants across Ontario,” shared Finance Minister Fedeli, The only restriction for licensing is that only one retail license is allowed for one producer for one individual production site.

The bill also gives Ontario cities up until Jan. 22 to determine whether they will allow cannabis dispensaries within city limits. The municipalities that do decide to welcome the sale of cannabis will as a result have no cap on the number of shops in operation, as long as those businesses fall in compliance with regulations and are granted license to sell.

Attorney General Mulroney clarified that, “right now we’re not proposing a cap,” in regards to the vendors of cannabis that will be legally allowed to operate on April 1 of next year.

Another big change will be the sale of retail cannabis online through the Ontario Cannabis Store, which will be renamed as Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation. Starting Oct. 17 the store will be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance and will operate as a wholesaler to private retailers.

The legislative move still follows with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act which bars public smoking indoors. Recreational sale of cannabis becomes legal nationwide for Canada on Oct. 17.