Ontario will allow retailers to operate up to 75 cannabis stores each amid lack of clarity over rules

Ontario will allow retailers to operate up to 75 cannabis stores each amid lack of clarity over rules

Cannabis retailers in Ontario will be allowed to operate as many as 75 stores each, the province said in an update on its rules governing how marijuana will be sold in bricks-and-mortar outlets this spring.

But the industry is still waiting for clarity on whether companies owned in part by licensed growers can open more than one.

Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney-General published a news release on Wednesday evening that spells out rules for how long stores can be open, where they can be built and when retailers can begin applying for licences.

However, the province did not clarify exactly how it will limit the reach of cannabis growers. Ontario’s cannabis law, which came into effect on Oct. 17, said producers and their affiliates “may not between them hold more than one retail store authorization,” but did not explain what is meant by “affiliate.” It is still unclear whether a grower could take a minority stake in a retailer as a way to have more than one store.

The government’s news release said the official regulations would be published online. It is possible the text will address the affiliate issue. At the time of publication, the rules had not been posted, and spokespeople for the government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

James Burns, chief executive of Alcanna Inc., which operates five NOVA Cannabis stores in Alberta, said he is still waiting for clarity on whether his company can enter the Ontario market, because Alcanna is 25-per-cent owned by licensed producer Aurora […]

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