Ontarians can buy pot online once legalized in Canada; retail stores coming in 2019

Upon legalization in Canada this fall, Ontario has announced a government-run online retail store will sell cannabis to those 19 years of age and older until a “private retail model” is launched in 2019.

Finance Minister Vic Fedeli and Attorney General Caroline Mulroney made the announcement on Monday afternoon ahead of Canadian legalization of recreational marijuana on Oct. 17.

“We will be ready to put in place a safe, legal system for cannabis retail that will protect consumers,” Mulroney said in a news release issued on Monday afternoon. “We will also be ready to undermine the illegal market and protect Ontario’s roads.”

“Most importantly of all, we will be ready to protect our kids.”

The online platform to purchase cannabis will be operated by the Ontario Cannabis Store, which will include a verification system and home delivery.

“Throughout this process we have held fast to some non-negotiable principles: public safety is paramount,” Fedeli said in the news release. “We will make sure our youth are safe; our roads are safe and that we work with our municipalities to ensure our neighbourhoods are safe.”

The PC government said they will consult municipalities, Indigenous communities, law enforcement, public health advocates, businesses and consumer groups prior to opening retail stores, which is expected to happen by April 1, 2019.

“The government of Ontario will not be in the business of running physical cannabis stores,” Fedeli said. “Instead, we will work with private sector businesses to build a safe, reliable retail system that will divert sales away from the illegal market.”

The Ontario government said these private retailers will be “regulated” and have to follow provincial rules. Once these retail stores are open, the Ontario Cannabis Store will act as the wholesale function.