KAWARTHA LAKES-In a letter sent to Kawartha Lakes CAO Ron Taylor on November 28th, the Ministry of Finance says the City of Kawartha Lakes has been identified for the location of at least one inital cannabis retail store by July 2018.
Under the proposed approach the retail distribution system would include an on-line province wide sales channel by July 28th and up to 150 stand alone stores by 2020. It would start with 40 stores by July 2018 and up to 80 within the first year. The proposed retail system would sell cannabis and cannabis related items only, not alcohol according to the letter.
The Ministry was looking to schedule a joint meeting with staff from both offices and the LCBO as soon as possible. The province says they will ensure that input from the municipality is considered.
Some of the items up for conversation during the meeting are the proposed public notification for choosing a site, plans for design and operation, social responsibility measures to ensure “carefully controlled retailing,” municipal priorities and understanding the topics of local concern.
On November 1, 2017 Ontario introduced the Provincial Cannabis Act that would support a transition to legal pot.
