As marijuana legalization edges closer, the conversation of public versus private is coming back.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford recently said he is considering consulting with municipalities over the current plan to run marijuana sales through the LCBO-run Ontario Cannabis Store. Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith says it’s a discussion that needs to happen:
Smith says whether marijuana sales come from public or private stores, the province needs to make sure the locations are regulated:
Before the election, the Ontario Liberals rolled out the plan to open 150 OCS stores by 2020. Forty of those stores are expected to open their doors this year. Ford has said he prefers privatization but says he won’t make any hard decisions until he gets more details from municipal officials and his own caucus.
Recreational marijuana sales will be legal Canada-wide on October 17th, but Smith says the feds have left municipalities with a lot of questions still:
Currently, the closest planned OCS location to Muskoka will be opening in Barrie. You can keep up to date on the OCS plans here.