Let the bidding begin.

Today marks a two week period where a licence to open up a cannabis dispensary in Kenora is up for grabs.

Councillor Kirsi Ralko admits she is interested in that licence.

“This is the second expression of interest lottery that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission (of Ontario) has opened regarding cannabis stores in Ontario,” said Ralko, “…a company that I’m the owner of was shortlisted in the first round, but the AGCO has decided to start a new wait list with a new process.”

She is hopeful her bid will be successful.

“We are interested in entering the lottery process. As you know, Kenora has been allocated one store…so one cannabis store will open somewhere in Kenora. The question (now) is who will be owning and operating it. I am interested in being a local operator who is invested in the community…and having a cannabis store that is cognisant of the community and contributing back to Kenora.”

Council decided not to make any recommendations where a Cannabis store can be operated, but agreed that 150 meters from a school made sense.

Fifty new stores will be licensed to open in Ontario this October.

The province is also granting 8 additional licences to First Nation communities on a first come-first serve basis.

All applications have to be into the Alcohol and Gaming Commission by August 20th.