Article by James McClure, Civilized The Ontario government fired the first shot in a province-wide war on illegal medical marijuana dispensaries last week. “If you operate one of these dispensaries, consider yourself on notice,” Attorney General Yasir Naqvi said while pledging to close every dispensary in the province over the next 12 months. The news was depressingly predictable for people who have fought to make the “gray market” ...

Article by Lift News The City of Toronto’s division of Municipal Licensing & Standards (ML&S) released their recommendations to the city for cannabis legalization today. The announcement includes support for Ontario’s own announcement last Friday for their plans for an LCBO-run retail cannabis system, both in stores and online. Staff say they have put together a working group to identify ...

Article by Canadian Press via Huffington Post Clients and advocates of storefront dispensaries say buying marijuana exclusively from stores regulated by Ontario’s provincial government will mean fewer options for medicinal users, little progress on eliminating the black market, and worse weed. On Friday, Ontario became the first province to announce its plan for the sale and distribution of legalized marijuana. ...

Article by Robyn Urback, CBC News Is it possible that the Ontario government will be the only entity in the history of civilization to actually lose money selling drugs? Perhaps “only” is an exaggeration. We all knew that dealer in high school who smoked more than he sold, leaving him ultimately in the red. Or that guy whose mom found his stash and ...

Article by Muriel Draaisma, CBC News Toronto police say they have charged 15 people with drug offences after a raid at a marijuana dispensary in Kensington Market. Police said 14 Division officers carried out a search warrant at the Canna Clinic dispensary at 44 Kensington Ave., near Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street West, at about 6:30 p.m. on Monday. All 15 ...

Article by Kerri Breen, Global News More than a dozen people have been charged following a Toronto police raid on a Kensington Market marijuana dispensary. Police said Tuesday that a search warrant was executed at a Canna Clinic location at about 6:30 p.m. on Monday. Police say they seized nearly 170 kilograms of marijuana, as well as 14.5 kilograms of marijuana oil and nearly five kilograms of ...

Article by Carmela Fragomeni, The Hamilton Spectator The Ontario government’s move to distribute and sell marijuana in LCBO-type stores when it becomes legal — and to shut down illegal pot shops — has stunned Hamilton’s pot shop owners, says Conrad Floyd, of the Hamilton Village Dispensary collective. “Hamilton has 30 shops … We have created this entire industry and now the ...

Article by Jenny Yuen, Toronto Sun When Abi Roach heard Premier Kathleen Wynne’s announcement on the rollout of government-regulated marijuana sales Friday, she said she nearly smashed her TV. The owner of Hotbox Café in Kensington Market maintains the decision to shut down weed dispensaries and vape lounges — such as the one she has run for 18 years — ...

Article by Toronto Star Editorial Board Ontario’s Liberal government deserves a lot of credit for finally loosening up the province’s antiquated and paternalistic system for selling wine and beer. It’s made it easier for consumers to purchase alcohol safely and responsibly, while also being treated more like actual adults. Now, though, the government seems determined to repeat the mistakes of ...

Article by Hannah Thibedeau and Mike Crawley, CBC News The Ontario government will announce Friday that it will create a cannabis control board and open up to 60 storefronts to manage the sale and distribution of marijuana in the province, CBC News has learned. The plans include restricting marijuana sales to those 19 and older, a year above the minimum age recommended ...