Ontario to Introduce Legislation to Move Forward with Tightly-Regulated Private Cannabis Retail Marketplace
Province will propose licensed and regulated private retail model to sell cannabis responsibly
Today Caroline Mulroney, Attorney General, and Vic Fedeli, Minister of Finance, announced the government's plans to introduce legislation that, if passed, would protect public health and public safety through a tightly-regulated private cannabis retail store model.
"As the federal government's legalization of cannabis approaches, our government is determined to impose a strict licensing regime that will protect young people and effectively combat the criminal market," said Mulroney.
The ministers announced the proposed legislation would establish the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) as the provincial regulator authorized to grant store licences. The AGCO would have the authority to enforce compliance, including, if necessary, revoking licences from stores that fail to comply with the conditions set by the province.
The proposed legislation would give municipalities the flexibility to opt-out of having cannabis retail stores in their communities, before January 22, 2019, and allows the province to establish distance buffers separating these stores from schools.
"The legislation approved by cabinet will, if passed, provide certainty to the marketplace along with peace of mind to parents and families that — when it comes to public health, public safety and protecting youth — our government will never compromise on our commitment to the people," said Fedeli.
The proposed legislation would prohibit smoking cannabis in places where smoking tobacco and using e-cigarettes would be prohibited. It includes exemptions in enclosed workplaces such as long-term care homes, hospices and designated guest rooms in hotels, motels and inns. The maximum fines on conviction would be $1,000 for a first offence, and $5,000 for subsequent offences.
The Ontario Cannabis Store will be the exclusive wholesaler and distributor to private retail stores and will sell cannabis online with safe home delivery across the province.
The proposed legislation includes changes to the governance structure of the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation that would result in the agency reporting directly to the Minister of Finance. This change would better support the mandate of the Ontario Cannabis Store as Ontario's online retailer and cannabis wholesaler. As a result, it would no longer be a subsidiary of the LCBO.
Quick Facts
- The private retail store model would be tightly regulated and strictly enforced and include a zero-tolerance approach for any retailer who provides cannabis to a minor or to anyone who tries to sell cannabis without a licence.
- The government will continue to consult with municipalities, Indigenous communities, law enforcement, public health advocates, businesses and consumer groups and representatives of the other provinces on the implementation of the private retail model.
- The AGCO would leverage its existing experience to regulate cannabis retail stores, building on its mandate to regulate in the public interest and its 20 years of experience as the Ontario regulator of alcohol, gaming and horse racing. It also has a dedicated, fully integrated OPP bureau which works with other law enforcement agencies to ensure integrity and public safety.
- It is illegal to drive drug-impaired and it’s just as dangerous as driving drunk.