A GUIDE TO OPENING A CANNABIS STORE

Who can run a cannabis store?

The provincial government has opened up the trade to private businesses. Those seeking licences will be screened for criminal background and financial irresponsibility. More broadly, if there are reasonable grounds to believe applicants won’t act with “integrity, honest or in the public interest” they will be rejected. Anyone operating an illegal dispensary after Oct. 17, when pot was legalized, isn’t eligible.

Q How do you apply?

A Licences are issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Application forms will be available on Dec. 17.

Q How much does it cost?

A For a person or company operating one store, the initial fee to apply for the three licences required would amount to $10,750. Anyone operating stores needs an operator licence for $6,000; each individual store licence is $4,000; and the store manager licence is $750.

Q How many stores will there be?

A There is no limit to the number of licences that will be awarded. The market will probably end up determining how many stores will succeed.

Q Where will the stores be located?

A Municipalities have until Jan. 22 to opt out of having any cannabis stores at all within their borders. They can opt back in later, but once stores are allowed municipalities can’t change their minds. Stores can’t be located within 150 metres of schools.

Q What if neighbours don’t want a cannabis store?

A Locations will be posted and the public has 15 days to comment in writing to the AGCO. However, the grounds for refusing a licence are limited to “public health and safety, protecting youth and restricting their access to cannabis, and preventing illegal activities in relation to cannabis.” Q When will stores open?

A April 2019.

Q What will the stores be allowed to sell?

A Cannabis and accessories. Right now only dried bud, oil and seeds are legal, but within the year the federal government will regulate edible cannabis products and concentrates, like the substance used in vape pens.

Q Where can I legally buy marijuana in the meantime?

A The Ontario government operates an online cannabis store at ocs.ca. The online store will continue to operate after the bricks-and-mortar shops open.