Will Kingston Get a Legal Pot Shop by July 1st 2018
On September 8th, the Ontario government published Ontario’s Safe and Sensible Framework to Federal Cannabis Legislation, which outlines how the province will roll up out legal marijuana retail within the next year. The plan specifically states that, by July 1st 2018, Ontario will have upwards of 40 legal pot shops ready to distribute legal marijuana, as well as online ordering and delivery directly to your door – Doritos sold separately. Moreover, the province has established an ambitious goal to have a grand total of 150 legal marijuana outlets in operation by 2020.
While it’s safe to assume that Kingston will be one of the 150 communities and cities with a legal pot shop by 2020, it remains to be seen whether or not the city will snag one of the initial 40 stores set to open next July. Accordingly, this week’s poll asks:
[poll id=”382″]
To corner the market, the Ontario government plans to shut down all illicit cannabis dispensaries, stating that they:
…will pursue a coordinated and proactive enforcement strategy, working with municipalities, local police services, the OPP and the federal government to help shut down these illegal operations.
If we read a bit more into this statement, communities which currently have illegal marijuana shops could find themselves at the front of the line to receive the first legal pot shops. Therefore, cities such as Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton, all of which currently have a number of illicit marijuana dispensaries in operation, would have these stores shuttered, and replaced by government shops.
Of course, it makes perfect sense that three of Ontario’s biggest cities will each have a few legal pot shops come July 2018. So where does that leave smaller cities such as Kingston? Kingston is certainly no stranger to illegal dispensaries, however these have been quickly shut down by police. Even so, I don’t think the prevalence of pot shops, or lack thereof, is the only factor to consider, as Kingston is a modestly sized city.
From a population standpoint, we are within the 20 largest cities in Ontario, and from a regional standpoint, we find ourselves just outside the top 10 urban centres in the province. Will those numbers be enough to warrant early consideration for legal marijuana retail in Kingston by July 1st 2018? My money is on yes! But of course, politics and a host of other factors will certainly influence where stores are located.
What do you think Kingston’s chances are of getting one of the initial legal pot shops come July 2018? Do you believe that we’ll end up with more than one after the initial 150 retail outlets are in place come 2020? What about the rules themselves? Do the age restrictions, limits on personal possession, and restrictions on where people can/can’t smoke make sense to you? If not, what would like to see changed?
Photo credit to Beverly Yuen Thompson.
You seem to forget that as far as Wynnebag is concerned Toronto is Ontario, the GTA will get at least 30 of the first 40 then the other ten will be shared between Hamilton, Niagara, Windsor and Ottawa. The government won’t be selling it for the price the dispensaries sell it for, it will be like it is in Colorado between 18 and 25 bucks per gram since they have to pay those union wages and the tons of government overhead. A giant failure waiting to get started.
Of course.
If not it doesn’t really matter because mail order will be available.
Though I have yet to enter the premises, Use 420: Hire and train the existing owners/staff as well as non criminal-minded dealers and growers; make it inclusive! Win Win.
Oh, and only charge a small percentage (20%) per once over street value to reduce black market.
Why do we need one? The reserve is serving everyone’s needs for hour a around lol
Gov’t weed: garbage, undoubtedly. Pot smokers deserve access to multiple sources of legally grown, high-quality organic marijuana, not the pesticide-covered shite that will probably be sold in the rigidly controlled stores. Let the small craft organic farmers into the game. They’re currently locked out by the exorbitant cost of licencing. It’ll be just like Big Tobacco.
Well that’s assuming that the Liberals are still in power by then
I think love Andy is smoking some.. Before adding a comment. Who would name your kid “LOVe” or your a fake account.. one of the two..
He’s a friend of mine and that’s his name. Now, back to the topic at hand…
Why would they not be in power? You do understand how it works right?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/42nd_Ontario_general_election
Do YOU understand how this works?
Love Andy The best alias!
Confirmed today: Kingston is among the initial list of 14 cities that will have legal marijuana retail by July 1st 2018. Now the question is: where would you prefer to see that store located?
I would say somewhere central perhaps the Kingston centre. Lots of available land. But maybe too close to L.C.V.I.
I think there’s some space in the plaza next to Coffee Way, home of Kingston’s best donuts…
Where that pizza place was on Princess near Bagot? Between Dollar Tree and Dollarama for snacks? Lol
Kind of like how the Bubba’s is near a whole bunch of bars when drunks get out and want poutine?