Extended Ontario Cannabis Pick-Up and Delivery
Province Announces Emergency Measures in Place Until At Least July 29 – LPC
The government announced that it has extended Ontario cannabis pick-up and delivery until July 29 at least. The province announced on July 16 that it would be extending most of its emergency orders to that date.
After Ontario closed cannabis stores in March due to COVID, many feared legal cannabis store closures would allow the illegal market to grow again. The province started allowing curbside pick-up and delivery options in April.
But according to a Richard Clark, the communications director for Ontario’s Finance Minister, those services will end “when the Declaration of Emergency expires along with other temporary measures that had been put in place to support people and business during the public health emergency.”
“As part of the government’s framework for reopening our province, cannabis retail stores can reopen with measures in place that can enable physical distancing, such as limiting the number of customers in the store at any one time and booking appointments.”
Many including Mimi Lam, CEO of Suprette, believe that cannabis pick-up and delivery should continue in Ontario. So too does the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
“Ontario should have a competitive market for #cannabis: curbside pick-up & delivery should be made permanent,” it said in a tweet.
Making the move permanent is not as easy as it sounds. The government has powers to create emergency orders, but anything outside of that would have to be voted on by the entire legislature. That likely wouldn’t be an issue – if the government supports extended Ontario cannabis pick-up and delivery. Otherwise, it will be a non-starter.
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