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The company would love to operate a store at the huge Smiths Falls grow-op, said Sinclair. However, the provincial government has nixed that idea. A subsidiary of the LCBO, the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corp., will operate marijuana shops in Ontario.

The provincial Liberals have said the LCBO has the experience and expertise to run cannabis stores safely and responsibly.

Cannabis activists are lobbying to open up the market to private operators, an idea that is looked on favourably by two of the four candidates running to become leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party. In a televised debate Thursday, candidate Caroline Mulroney said the private sector is “better placed to do it,” but more consultation is needed. Doug Ford said he doesn’t like government monopolies of any business.

A provincial election is coming up in June.

The Ontario Cannabis Retail Corp. is now scouting out locations for the first 40 stores the province has promised to open when cannabis become legal.

The federal government had been aiming for July, but it’s more likely to be August, September or even later.

The timeline became more clear on Thursday after a deal was reached in the Senate to take a final vote on the Cannabis Act by June 7. But if there are amendments, the bill will go back to the House of Commons.

Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor says it will take two to three months to implement the law after it is given royal assent, because provinces and cannabis companies need time to prepare.

The three other winning proposals to operate stores in Manitoba are:

* National Access Cannabis, which operates a string of medical marijuana information clinics, including one on Wellington Street in Hintonburg

* Tokyo Smoke, which operates cannabis accessory, clothing and coffee shops

* a consortium that includes Avana Canada Inc. of Ontario, Fisher River Cree National of Manitoba, Chippewas of the Thames of Ontario, MediPharm Labs in Ontario and U.S.- based retailer Native Roots Dispensary

jmiller@postmedia.com

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