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He believes people have remained loyal to “their guy” in the wake of legalization because of the ability to buy edibles — still illegal in Ontario — the variety of strains offered, price and quality.

You can go to one of the province’s OCS (Ontario Cannabis Store) locations, or to one of the five private shops in Toronto lucky enough to have won the lottery for the handful of licences the government has issued, and pay $20 for a gram of its best pot, he said, explaining the licensed private pot shops sell the exact same product as OCS.

“Or you can buy a gram of weed through the black market for $15 that will blow that stuff away.”

Photo by Graeme Roy / THE CANADIAN PRESS/LCBO

Although currently out of the business, he’d set up shop again if the government ever loosens licensing restrictions.

“There just comes a time when you have to throw in the towel,” he said, explaining he walked away from the pot game after spending upwards of $200,000 on fines and legal fees, defending himself and those who worked for him to ensure they did not end up with criminal records.

The irony, he said, is that his former employees now all work in the legal industry thanks to the training and experience he provided.

He believes countless millions in tax revenue are being lost because of the province’s mishandling of pot shop licensing.

And shutting down illegal dispensaries has also been costly.

cdoucette@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @SunDoucette

‘DEFIANT’ ILLEGAL POT SHOP STILL ROLLING

One of the federal government’s biggest selling points for legalization has been the elimination of the black market but efforts so far have only emboldened many people involved in illegal cannabis sales — whether online or through unlicensed storefronts.