Brampton’s lone legal cannabis store may be getting some competition soon.

On Wednesday (July 3), the Ontario government under Premier Doug Ford announced a new lottery for 50 more cannabis store licences across the province in addition to the 25 issued earlier this year.

"Our government is continuing to take a responsible approach to opening cannabis stores across Ontario, allowing private sector businesses to build a safe and convenient retail system to combat the illegal market," Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips said in a release.

"With marginal improvements in national supply, we are proceeding to issue up to 50 new cannabis store licences," he said.

Brampton is the only municipality in Peel Region that allows the sale of retail cannabis within city limits. Councils in neighbouring Mississauga and Caledon both chose to opt out, meaning any additional stores coming to Peel will end up in Brampton by default.

Currently, Ganjika House, at 186 Main St. S., is the city’s only legal retail store. However, last week the city announced a second licence application in the city currently in the public consultation phase and under review by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

If approved, Cannabis 360, at 2933 Queen St. E., will become the city’s second legal retailer.

Among the 50 new licences being handed out in the province’s second lottery, the GTA region, which includes Brampton, will get six more stores.

The lottery will be conducted by a third-party contractor to ensure transparency, and those interested can begin applying at www.agco.ca this summer.

The government has yet to provide a timeline for plans to remove caps on the number of stores permitted in the province and expand the licensing process to all interested parties.