Here’s Why More Legal Cannabis Stores Will Not Be Coming To Brampton

Brampton | Ontario | Business | Latest News |

Published August 23, 2019 at 5:08 pm

Earlier this summer, the Ontario government announced that it would be moving to the next phase of its plan to license private cannabis retailers.

Earlier this summer, the Ontario government announced that it would be moving to the next phase of its plan to license private cannabis retailers.

On July 3, Minister of Finance Rod Phillips and Attorney General Doug Downey announced that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), the provincial regulator for cannabis retail storefronts, would be conducting a second lottery for 42 private cannabis retail store authorizations. 

No exact addresses were provided; however, it was revealed that the next few stores would be in the following areas:

  • East Region: seven stores
  • GTA Region: six stores
  • Toronto Region: 13 stores
  • West Region: 11 stores
  • North Region: One store in each of the following cities: Kenora, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, and Timmins

According to a recent AGCO press release, the 42 applicants have been notified that they can apply for a cannabis retail store authorization.

Brampton had a chance to opt-out of permitting retail cannabis stores within their boundaries; however, the city did not opt-out, allowing more retail cannabis stores within their boundaries.

Many people applied to have a retail store in Brampton, but no Brampton applicants have been accepted for the cannabis retail store authorization.

Nevertheless, there may be stores opening in neighbouring cities including 13 stores in Toronto and the GTA including two stores in Burlington, two stores in Oshawa, one store in Aurora and another in Stouffville. 

The new private cannabis retail stores will be authorized upon meeting all requirements and approved to open on a rolling basis, beginning October 2019.

Currently, a proposed store may be opening at 2933 Queen Street East, Unit E5. According to AGCO’s website, the store will be called 360 Cannabis. The cannabis shop will be run by Kyle Hildebrand. The application just passed the 15-day Public Notice Process period, which ended on July 4. The AGCO has yet to make an authorization decision. 

However, the AGCO is looking at adding only six stores in the GTA, and so the possibility of adding another store in Brampton looks grim. 

Luckily, the city still has Ganjika House, which opened in April 2019, as the city’s first cannabis joint. Located at 186 Main Street South, Ganjika House sells a selection of flowers, oils and accessories from a variety of brands, including LBS, Broken Coast, and Canadian Lumber.

In other cannabis news, the provincial government is partnering with the Peel Region and other municipalities to take on the illegal cannabis market.

On August 20, the province announced the funding of $6.74 million to municipalities through the Ontario Cannabis Legalization Implementation Fund (OCLIF).

Of the $3.26 million going towards enforcement against illegal cannabis operations, Brampton will be getting $601,383 in three installments of $220,018, $269,199 and $112,166. 

Did you want another cannabis retail store in Brampton? 

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