The current lottery system used to obtain a license to operate a cannabis retailer is being replaced

While there are currently no applications to open retail cannabis stores in Guelph, a change in policy by the provincial government could eventually result in more accessible legal pot in the Royal City.

When the current Ontario PC government took power in 2018 it almost immediately canceled plans by the previous Liberal government to open legal cannabis retailers across Ontario. At the time, Guelph was one of the first cities named and a location had been identified on Stone Road.

The Ontario PC government, under the leadership of premier Doug Ford, shifted gears from a government-run model to one of private retailers chosen by lottery, conducted by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

Two lotteries have so far been conducted, resulting in two Guelph locations chosen, the first of which was disqualified, while the second proposed store was moved by the applicant to another city.

Eleven of the disqualified applicants from the first lottery lost a court battle with the province, leading to those disqulifications remaining.

The current system, which requires a lottery for cannabis store authorizations, will be revoked as of March 2, 2020. As of that date, the AGCO will begin accepting applications for Retail Store Authorizations (RSA) from all interested applicants.

Those wishing to operate a cannabis retail store in Ontario must then follow a two-step process with the AGCO.

First, a Retail Operator Licence must be obtained by those wishing to open a retail cannabis store. It confirms they meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 and its regulations.

Secondly, an operator’s proposed store must qualify for a Retail Store Authorization, which ensures the store meets the requirements set out in the regulations and standards, including location, layout, security, among others.

The Retail Operator License must be obtained prior to applying for a Retail Store Authorization.

Reached by email, Guelph’s manager of Bylaw Compliance, David Weidrick, said he is not currently aware of any applications to the AGCO for a cannabis retail store in Guelph.

Currently, the retail cannabis retails closest to Guelph are located in Hamilton. The AGCO web site shows three current applications for stores in Waterloo Region, but none in Guelph or Wellington County.

For more information on the process, click here.