Ontario Should Have a Freer Market for Recreational Cannabis

(Toronto – July 7, 2020) – Today, Daniel Safayeni, Director of Policy at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and Co-Chair of the OCC’s Ontario Cannabis Policy Council (OCPC) released the following statement:

“We are disappointed that the government has not made permanent the emergency order to authorize cannabis retail stores to offer curbside pick-up and delivery of products purchased online or over the phone. This temporary measure should have been made permanent to allow the private sector the necessary tools to compete against the illicit market, while creating jobs and economic growth for the province.

“At a time where the illegal sector accounts for over 80 percent of cannabis sales in the province, today’s decision will further reduce consumer access to legal cannabis by making the government-run Ontario Cannabis Store the only legal online retailer of recreational cannabis in Ontario.   Successfully displacing the illicit market will require a fair and competitive legal market whereby recreational cannabis stores are granted the same privileges any other retailer is entitled to, including e-commerce.

“Meanwhile, public health and safety hangs in the balance – limiting access to legal cannabis will encourage illicit actors and could put people at risk of consuming potentially dangerous product through the illicit market.

“We hope to work collaboratively with the Government of Ontario to find opportunities to promote sensible policies that contribute to the economic prosperity of the province.”

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About the Ontario Cannabis Policy Council
The Ontario Cannabis Policy Council (OCPC) is comprised of industry leaders and experts whose primary focus is addressing the key issues impacting Ontario’s adult-use cannabis industry. Following the release of the OCC’s report Supporting Ontario’s Budding Cannabis Industry, the Council’s primary focus is advocating for the industry’s growth across the province. The Council is co-chaired by Daniel Safayeni, Director of Policy, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and Trevor Fencott, Chief Executive Officer, Fire & Flower Cannabis Co.

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.

For more information, please contact:

Ceara Copps – Edwards
Manager, Public Affairs
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca | 647-936-6734