Well, it … has … happened.
Guelph recently “won” the cannabis store lottery. But don’t get too excited.
This does not mean a cannabis retail store is headed straight to Guelph.
The store, which would be located at 120 Wyndham St. N., has passed the pre-qualification stage and is one of 42 new store authorizations announced by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) on Aug. 21.
There are also eight store locations on First Nations reserves that received pre-qualification.
This round of pre-approval applications received a total of 4,864 applications for new stores. All were included in the lottery draw, overseen by a third-party fairness monitor.
The Guelph store, and other “winning” stores, are now waiting to hear back from their Cannabis Retail Operator License and Retail Store Authorization application they had to submit by Aug. 28.
The press release states, “The AGCO will only licence applicants and authorize stores that meet all legal and regulatory requirements.”
While the legalization of cannabis has a number of very grey areas, I do think it is important to have accessible brick and mortar stores once the purchase of edible and beverage cannabis is legalized.
I realize there are postal processes in place but it seems that if someone under age accidently accepts the cannabis package with plain old marijuana in it, they’re going to know what it is and hopefully leave it for their parents.
However, when edibles become legal and the only option is to purchase online and have it delivered, this theory is probably null.
I would imagine that underage kids would be way more inclined to try out a yummy cookie, gummy bear, sucker or whatever other edibles are available, than the raw product that can be purchased online now.
I just hope the government and retail locations get this sorted before edibles are legalized, whenever that is … maybe December?
Keep in mind, if you’re a resident in the community you have the opportunity to provide written submissions if you believe the location of the store is not in the public interest.
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Harriston has a new restaurant at 62 Elora Street South.
Cardno’s Grill is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and Saturday from 8am to 5pm.
For more information call 416-312-5250.
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The Ear and Hearing Clinic is now open in Palmerston. The clinic specializes in hearing rehabilitation with patients of all ages and provides high quality hearing care to adults and children.
Services include hearing assessments, wax removal, hearing aid evaluations and fittings, tinnitus retraining therapy, auditory processing assessment and more.
For more information visit earandhearingclinic.com, call 1-833-669-4425 or stop in at the store located at 107 William Street.
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