The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the lives of all Canadians as it spreads across the nation. Premier Doug Ford has had to make the tough choice of closing down non-essential businesses in an effort to protect public health.

Today, April 3rd, 2020, Ford updated his list of non-essential businesses to include brick and mortar, legal cannabis retailers. This new labeling will cripple 52 businesses and enable the highly contentious, "Online Cannabis Store" to have a monopoly in Ontario.

We believe Ford's measure, while being done under good intentions, is an overreaction and will do more harm than good to our local economy.

We propose Premier Ford take a gentler approach to cannabis business by using his emergency powers to label the industry as “essential” and temporarily allow private licensed cannabis retailers to:

Deliver cannabis orders to a customer’s residence or to a vehicle on the licensed dispensary’s premises.

Allow customers to pre-order and pick up their purchases via curbside services.

It should be noted that LCBO and Beer Store outlets are still considered “essential” and Ford will be allowing customers to make purchases in-store, instead of safer curbside or delivery options.

Please sign this petition to compel Ford to use his emergency powers so private cannabis businesses can continue to operate while still protecting the health of Ontarians.

Sincerely,

Wikileaf