Effective January 6, 2020, the cannabis retail lottery rules for the second allocation of 42 retail store authorizations have terminated and are revoked. The current restriction on the total number of store authorizations permitted in Ontario (i.e. 93) and their regional distribution will be maintained until March 2, 2020. Until March 2, 2020, only those who were notified by the AGCO to apply for Retail Operator Licence before January 6, will be able to apply for a Retail Store Authorization. For more information see the Cannabis Retail Store Owners/Operators portal.

On July 3, 2019, the Government of Ontario announced its plans for a second allocation of cannabis retail store authorizations.  

Ontario Regulation 468/18 under the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 was amended to reflect this new allocation. The Regulation established that the AGCO must use a method for selecting applicants that does not rely on the discretion of the Registrar or of any other person.

The AGCO held the lottery draw for this allocation of 42 retail store authorizations on August 20, 2019, in accordance with the Cannabis Retail Store Allocation Lottery Rules.

The Regulation was also amended to allow the AGCO to authorize additional retail stores on First Nations reserves. Information on the application process for these stores can be found on the Stores on First Nations Reserves page.

(Note: this portal relates only to the second allocation of stores - Allocation lottery.  Information about the first allocation Expression of Interest lottery, which took place in January, 2019, can be found on the First Allocation of stores - Expression of Interest Lottery portal.)

Line of Business: 
Cannabis

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