The AGCO is now accepting Retail Store Authorization applications via the iAGCO portal.
The AGCO will process applications as they are received. However, the first application received will not necessarily be the first issued as a number of factors determine the length of time to process it, including application deficiencies, the number of interested parties to be reviewed, the applicant’s responsiveness in providing required information, the volume of public responses submitted during the public notice process, the time the operator takes to build out their store to a point of readiness for inspections and the extent of the due diligence investigation.
The AGCO is committed to processing applications as quickly as possible with the objective of making a legal supply of cannabis more broadly available across Ontario. As regulator, the AGCO’s priorities continue to be ensuring that only eligible applicants are licensed and that licensed operators act with honesty, integrity, and in the public interest, following all laws, regulations and standards.
Applying for a Retail Store Authorization
To apply for a Retail Store Authorization (RSA), you must either hold a valid Retail Operator Licence (ROL) issued by the AGCO or have submitted an application for a ROL with the AGCO. Applications for both can be submitted at the same time.
To submit your online RSA application via the iAGCO portal, you will need to know your:
- Applicant Type
- Legal Name
- Legal Structure (i.e. Privately Held, Publicly Held, Trust, Not-for-Profit)
- Retail Operator Licence Number or File Number of the application
NOTE: For RSA Intent to Apply – First Nations Reserve applicants for a cannabis retail store on a First Nations reserve who applied before August 1, 2019, you will also need to know your:
- File Number of the Retail Store Authorization Intent to Apply-First Nations Reserve application (if your proposed cannabis retail store is located on a First Nations reserve, as defined in the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018)
In addition, you will need to provide supporting information by uploading required documents relating to any third party agreements that were not disclosed in your application for a Retail Operator Licence. Please refer to the Supplementary Questionnaire for a list of agreements and details.
NOTE: Applicants applying for an RSA from March 2, 2020 onward who wish to operate a cannabis retail store on a First Nations reserve require a signed Band Council Resolution approving the store location.
If you are applying for a Retail Store Authorization, before a Retail Operator Licence has been issued to you:
- Business Name Registration
The business name under which you intend to operate may have to be registered under the Business Names Act. For information regarding business name registration please call toll free 1-800-361-3223 or visit Service Ontario.
- Third Party Agreement
Applicants must provide all applicable third party agreements. For more information, please refer to the Supplementary Questionnaire for a list of agreements and details.
A cannabis Retail Store must be the only business that operates out of the proposed location, and the business cannot also operate as a restaurant, coffee shop, pharmacy, convenience store, etc. For more information, see Retail Store Requirements.
NOTE: Your proposed cannabis retail store location must:
For more information on the standards and requirements for a cannabis retail store, please refer to the Registrar’s Standards for the Cannabis Retail Stores, the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 and its regulations.
To submit an application for a Retail Store Authorization, you must make the non-refundable $4,000 Retail Store Authorization fee payment.