Ontario has set a 19 and above age limit on legalized Marijuana sales and apart from a state governed and controlled website, the only place to purchase marijuana will be a division of the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario). Currently, the LCBO operates all hard liquor and spirit sales across the province, and the government feels that they are the most prepared to step in and operate marijuana sales successfully.

Marijuana enthusiasts will have a variety of different ways in which they’ll be able to enjoy their marijuana next summer in Canada. Vaping and smoking are always the preferred method of ingesting cannabis, but no word yet from the Canadian government about whether edibles, waxes, and other marijuana products will also be available for purchase.

“When it comes to retail distribution, the LCBO has the expertise, the experience, and the insight, to ensure careful control of cannabis, to help us discourage illicit market activity and see that illegal dispensaries are shut down,” said Charles Sousa, Finance Minister. While the government hasn’t released exactly how much tax revenue they’re expecting to raise from marijuana sales, approximate figures of $100 million per year have been speculated on based off other countries and states which have legalized marijuana.

The Ontario government is planning on opening 40 LCBO marijuana stores by July 1^st, 2018, eighty by the end of 2019 and one hundred and fifty stores by 2020. The marijuana stores will be run and operated by the LCBO, but won’t feature the LCBO branding. It is also believed that customers will be able to order marijuana online through a LCBO marijuana store website. “We will draw upon our decades of experience and work in partnership with the government to deliver on its objectives,” said LCBO president and CEO George Soleas.

While they are legalizing marijuana across the country, the Canadian government has no plans at this stage to relax marijuana smoking laws. It will still be illegal to smoke marijuana in public places around the country, which also includes workplaces and businesses, any vehicles, and public parks. Ontario is trying to plan ahead and introduce tougher fines for driving under the influence and public intoxication to prevent spikes in offenses which other places have seen after the legalization of marijuana.

The price of the state provided marijuana has also been speculated on a lot since its plans to control the retail stores was announced. A recent announcement has given a good indication of where the Ontario government is going to price its marijuana.

The province has speculated a lot about the price per gram but has stated that $10 per gram would keep an even market price across the country. They are hoping that by keeping the price even across the country, it will help reduce any illegal sales of marijuana or trafficking of marijuana across the country.

Currently, in Toronto, there are many illegal marijuana dispensaries operating. They have been selling marijuana to the public hoping to have a part in the sale of legalized weed next summer. Unfortunately for them, the Canadian government is looking to keep a close eye on all marijuana sales and will be focusing on shutting down illegal dispensaries. “This is nothing more than a government attempt to monopolize an industry that they fought against for decades,” Jodie Emery said. “If this Ontario government introduces their model the way it's being presented today we will see the black market continue to exist by their own policy.”

For many private operators hoping to cash in on legalized marijuana sales, their dreams have been dashed. Please comment below with your opinions on Ontario’s plans to manage marijuana sales and have your say! If you enjoyed the article, then feel free to share it.