Ontario cannabis stores set to open Monday, but not all ready to go
TORONTO – Ontario’s first brick-and-mortar cannabis stores are set to open today, but it’s unclear just how many will be ready to serve customers.
The Progressive Conservative government had planned to have 25 stores across the province launch today, but some are still working through a lengthy approval process.
According to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, just 10 stores have been approved to open on April 1. However operators will determine on their own when they will open.
Locations approved to operate include three in Ottawa, three in the Greater Toronto Area including one in Toronto, two in Kingston, one in St. Catharines and London.
Recreational cannabis has so far only been available for purchase legally in Ontario through a government-run website.
The Tory government had initially said there would be no cap on the number of retail shops after pot was legalized.
In December, citing national supply issues, the government said it was issuing licences to just 25 stores that operators could apply to open April 1.
Stores that fail to open today face escalating penalties, but the government has said it won’t rush the vetting process.
VIDEO: Challenges of cannabis tourism in Kingston
— With a file from Global News
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