LCBO to run Marijuana Stores Posted onSeptember 11, 2017June 18, 2020/ Devry Smith Frank LLP When marijuana is legal next year, you won’t be able to get it from those so-called “dispensaries” that have been popping up around the GTA. Why? You may ask, Kathleen Wynne is looking to restrict the sale of recreational marijuana to LCBO-run stores only. Approximately 150 LCBO-run stores will be selling, and these stores will be standalone cannabis outlets. The main reason for Wynne’s approach is to “ensure that there will only be one legal retail distributor for recreational cannabis in Ontario, and alcohol and cannabis are not sold alongside each other.” The LCBO will oversee all retail sales and online services. Staff have been trained to keep underage drinkers from buying alcohol and has a tightly controlled distribution channel, so why wouldn’t that work for marijuana too? By regulating the distribution and sale of marijuana, the government is hoping to also tackle some issues that extend from the legalization, such as impaired driving and road safety. Seeing as it is likely people will opt to drive while under the influence, the province will introduce heftier fines and new testing machines that will determine if someone has decided to smoke up and drive. The second benefit of the government regulating and overseeing the sale of marijuana is that it assists the police and municipalities in the fight to close down illegal weed “dispensaries”, which they have been trying to do for some time – some of which are supplied by or operated by organized crime gangs. The LCBO will only be getting its product from the medical producers licenced by Health Canada in an effort to close scores with them. Announced today, the prices will be kept competitive with the black market, 40 stores and online sales will be active on July 1, 2018, and 80 by 2019, up to 150 in 2020. For more on the plan that was unveiled today, please see this link to the Toronto Sun article. “This article is intended to inform and entertain. Its content does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon by readers as such. If you require legal assistance, please see a lawyer. Each case is unique and a lawyer with good training and sound judgment can provide you with advice tailored to your specific situation and needs.” Related Posts Posted onMarch 8, 2018June 16, 2020/ Devry Smith Frank LLP Introduction of Cannabis Lounges: Good for Users? Cannabis Consumption in Ontario Under the current proposed regulations, the Ontario Government intends to control and operate the sale of marijuana. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario will operate approximately 150 stores and sell the product to people aged 19 and older. But what will the rules be for consumption of cannibas? At present, we [...] Read more Posted onFebruary 6, 2018June 16, 2020/ Devry Smith Frank LLP Concerns with Canada’s Plan for Marijuana Regulation Canada’s approach to cannabis regulation has some people worrying. The federal government’s resources for guidance in developing the existing regulations including those regarding control by the federal and provincial governments, may not have been the best. The federal government looked to tobacco and alcohol for guidance in drafting the cannabis regulations. The problem is that [...] Read more Posted onJanuary 9, 2018July 5, 2023/ Devry Smith Frank LLP Personal Growth and Use Limitations The Cannabis Act, once in force, prescribes a number of limitations regarding the personal cultivation and consumption of marijuana in Canada. For example, the Act permits anyone over the age of 18 to consume cannabis and permits each household to grow up to 4 cannabis plants for personal use. However, the legislation also permits each [...] Read more Posted onDecember 13, 2017June 17, 2020/ Devry Smith Frank LLP Facts about Bill C-45, Canada’s Proposed New Cannabis Act – Still More Questions than Answers? Bill C-45 (An Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts), also known as Canada’s proposed Cannabis Act, recently passed third reading in Canada’s House of Commons and has been forwarded to Canada’s Senate for approval. Although Bill C-45 in its current form answers many [...] Read more Posted onSeptember 21, 2017June 18, 2020/ Devry Smith Frank LLP Ontario’s First Post-Secondary Marijuana Production Certificate Niagara College will become the first college to offer a post-secondary certificate in marijuana production, which will launch in the fall of 2018. The program has been approved by the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development and will be available to those with a diploma or degree in agribusiness, agriculture science, environmental science/resource studies, [...] Read more