Next Phase of Cannabis Retail Supports Ontario’s Budding Industry

(Toronto – July 3, 2019) Today, Michelle Eaton, Vice President of Communications and Government Relations, OCC released the following statement in response to Government of Ontario’s cannabis announcement.

“Ensuring the private recreational cannabis market is successful is critical to the long-term viability of the sector and eliminating the illegal market. That is why we are pleased to hear the government is moving forward with the next phase of cannabis retail in Ontario by allocating 42 new licences for stores.

“As recommended in our recent report, proceeding with a merit-based approach to licensing will help ensure retailers have the requisite capital and retail space to successfully open and operate stores. Additionally, providing small and rural municipalities that opted-into the cannabis retail market, regardless of population size, with the opportunity to open licensed retail stores will help support regional economic development by attracting investments, businesses, and jobs.

“As the industry and regulations continue to evolve, the Province has a role to play in ensuring the legal market remains competitive and seizes the opportunity to be a global leader in the recreational cannabis space. With this in mind, we continue to urge the government to:

• Work with Health Canada and industry to address Ontario’s supply shortage;
• Consult with industry and proceed with allowing consumers to purchase directly online from licensed producers and retailers to improve customer convenience; and
• Allow licensed producers to operate retail stores, whose total number of stores could be capped as a percentage of the market.”

Supporting Ontario’s Budding Cannabis Industry
The OCC’s latest report, Supporting Ontario’s Budding Cannabis Industry, outlines Ontario’s competitive advantage and how to capitalize on Canada’s first-mover status in this fast-moving industry. The report provided a comprehensive analysis of Ontario’s cannabis market from the perspective of industry and the role public policy can play to ensure the legal market remains competitive by seizing economic opportunity, eliminating the illegal market, and safeguarding public health and responsible adult consumption.

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For more information please contact:
Ceara Copps – Edwards
Senior Communications Advisor
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
647-936-6734
cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca