While Canada’s rollout of legal pot has been generally accepted as crap – the fact that Toronto has just four legal pot shops open is a testament to that. One thing is for sure though: it can only be up from here, right? Major kudos to the brands who were courageous enough to foray into the world of cannabis in 2019. It’s thanks to them that Toronto, the largest city in Canada and a leader in business and culture, has at least something new and interesting to show for its first year in legal pot.

Here are 9 notable and already-established Toronto brands that made moves in pot this year. 

Friendly Stranger

toronto cannabis
Instagram/@420vapeologist

After legalization, the long-standing head shop on Queen West swiftly secured $5 million in investments from 48North Cannabis Corp, VIVO, Green Acre Capitol, and others, to support the company’s growth. We can expect to see Friendly Stranger branch out to 100 stores across the country over the next few years, selling accessories, and cannabis. 

The Hot Box Cafe

toronto cannabis
Instagram/@augustaandbaldwin

Kensington Market’s iconic pot cafe has been operating for over 15 years, but this past year, the Hot Box demonstrated thought leadership in a disruptive way. The company’s commentary and journey offered a sobering perspective, and its petition demanding the government open up the application process to private companies allowed others to cast their vote against the ‘insane lottery process.’ The Hot Box may have spent close to half a million dollars getting ready three stores for applications to no avail, in 2019, but it did earn the credit of hosting the first-ever cannabis patio at the Craft Beer Festival at the CNE this past year. 

Steamwhistle

toronto cannabis
Instagram/@steamwhistlebrewing

The local Pilsner brand caused sparked some buzz when it was revealed that it was in talks with several cannabis producers for a possible investment or joint venture. Ideas on the table were a pot-infused beer, a Steam Whistle brand of cannabis, and a pot shop at the Roundhouse Park building. No plans have been locked down as of yet. 

Ste. Annes Spa

toronto cannabis
Instagram/@skinnourishmentcanada

For those who can’t make it to the spa in Grafton, just outside of the city, Ste. Anne’s recently debuted a line of CBD-infused skincare products. Those who can make it have the option to splurge on a canna-massage treatment and get rubbed down with hemp-derived CBD oil. St. Anne’s may not be known as the trendiest spa near the city, but its incorporation of pot into its services is certainly forward-thinking. 

Evio Beauty

toronto cannabis
Instagram/@eviobeauty

The Toronto-based beauty company teamed up with Aurora Cannabis last fall to launch a vegan, cruelty-free skincare line infused with cannabis-derived ingredients. The use of hemp in the product and packaging helps eliminate animal by-products and reduce the use of plastic. Founder Brandi Leifso was recognized this year for her story and also her success in business and innovation in the beauty industry. 

Weedbox

toronto cannabis
Instagram/@weedbox.io

Canada’s only digital-first cannabis retail and lifestyle brand, Weedbox, focused on the 2020 launch of its Palm Springs store while further expanding and building out the success of its media efforts. The brand’s podcast, The Dopist, hit its stride in its second season with the first live broadcast from the 2019 Lift Awards. 2020 will see a series of cannabis and Esports events and multiple CBD brands launched in the States. Stay tuned for what takes shape at Weedbox.  

Rosen’s Cinnamon Buns

toronto cannabis
Instagram/@rosensbuns

Cult-followed cinnamon buns dealer Rosen’s Buns lent its signature cinnamon bun spread to a joint product offering with baking company Mom Jeans Provisions – spiked cookies. ‘High Rise’ cookies have caramel chips, sea salt, and 10mg of THC, and ‘Relaxed Fit’ versions have CBD. The buzz-worthy cookies were ‘shared’ at stores like Easy Tiger and Likely General.  

Sackville & Co.

toronto cannabis
Instagram/@sackville.and.co

This women-founded, design-forward accessories brand made a name for itself this year and was recently acquired by 48North. Keep an eye out for a more robust selection of the stylish high-end ceramic pipes, bongs, and, grinders in the distinct Sackville style. This brand was a major trendsetter as far as paraphernalia was concerned, this past year. 

High Noon

toronto cannabis
Instagram/@highnoonhigh

High Noon’s handcrafted ceramic pipes received some accolades this year by outlets like VICE, The Kit, Toronto Life, and more. Founder Leah Lavergne’s mission to serve women in the cannabis space with beautiful, simple accessories has been a key driving force of the inclusive ethos of cannabis 2.0. 

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When it comes to women in business, Trang Trinh is a prime example of someone who’s holding her own. A graduate of Richard Ivey School of Business and mentor for young women through Girls E-Mentorship and her own not-for-profit organization Shaping Her Esteem (SHE), Trinh is an inspiration not only for women, but all entrepreneurs.

Her career began in finance strategy and business operations at Loblaw Companies and Joe Fresh, before she moved into mergers and acquisitions at Deloitte. While leading the cannabis sector, her fascination with the industry grew, leading her to start her own company, TREC Brands.

Aligned with her own values, TREC Brands is a premium cannabis brand house that runs on trust, respect, equality, and compassion. It’s made up of two brands: WINK, a luxury brand that offers pre-rolled sativa-dominant strains, and Blissed, a female-focused brand that creates cannabis oil for women.

We had the opportunity to talk to Trinh about her company, conscious cannabis, and her advice for those looking to get into the industry. Take a peek below.

What were you doing before you started TREC Brands, and how did it lead you to where you are now?

Before starting TREC Brands, I spent 4.5 years at Deloitte in M&A consulting covering the following sectors: retaillife sciences, and cannabis. One of my cannabis projects took me down to Jamaica where I helped a client stand up a vertically integrated cannabis business – this included everything from grow operations all the way through to consumer experience in the retail store. I learned so much working on this project, it showed me how great the opportunity is in the cannabis industry and that there was opportunity to be different and add value.

Deloitte provided me with all the tools to do what I do today – I bring with me to the TREC business structure organized processes and cannabis industry experience and relationships.

trec brands

Cannabis is a fairly new industry. What do you think the biggest obstacle you faced when starting TREC Brands? 

I see obstacles as opportunities. The industry lacked structure and processes – this was an opportunity for me to leverage and implement methodologies I learned from my time at Deloitte leading the cannabis sector to help professionalize this this nascent industry. Consumers have not developed brand affinity yet. This is an opportunity for our two brands — Blissed, a female-friendly cannabis brand creating cannabis oil products, and WINK, a cannabis brand designed to complement the nightlife or social experience with pre-rolled sativa-dominant strains — to build solid foundations because cannabis will eventually become commoditized, and in that situation, brands will prevail.

What’s been the most exciting part of the journey?

There’s been so many already… Building an all-star team from the ground up, the ability to shape the industry the way we want to – at TREC Brands, that means ensuring we take care of our people and planet by giving back, and the opportunity to pave the way for women in cannabis and in business!

trec brands

Tell us a little about the dinner parties you host. 

Those that know me know that I love to cook and host dinner parties. I try to do them every couple of months to bring all our friends together. Lately, I have been getting more creative and infusing some recipes with our Blissed cannabis oils. It makes for a fun-filled night with lots of laughs and giggles and little to no hangover the next day! My go-to dish is tuna tartar – a definite crowd pleaser 😉

blissed cannabis

What is “conscious cannabis”?

TREC is actually an acronym for Trust, Respect, Equality and Compassion: the values that are at the core of all our business decisions. From day one we knew with TREC we didn’t want to be just another cannabis company. To be around for the long haul we want to make sure that with everything we do we are making an impact in the communities we operate in and our planet while sourcing the most premium product for our consumers. So, we built this organization in the only way we felt was right and pledged to donate 10% of our profits back to the communities we operate in.

What advice would you give to someone who’s looking to get into cannabis industry? 

Take this rare opportunity to learn a new industry where regulations are being written as we speak and also encourage and help others around you. The industry will thrive when we all contribute positively.

To keep up with Trang Trinh and TREC Brands, follow @winkcannabis, @be.blissed, and @trecbrands on Instagram. Or visit them online at www.winkcannabis.com, www.beblissed.com, and www.trecbrands.com.

The cannabis accessories that have cropped up in the city since recreational pot became legal have been truly elevated. New, design-froward brands are giving cannabis a new look by getting innovative with materials and styles, incorporating crystals, gold accents, and paint jobs like we’ve never seen before. This is not your little brother’s stonerware.

Here’s where to find cannabis accessories that are as unique and shiny as you are!

Tokyo Smoke

tokyo smoke toronto cannabis styledemocracy

Instagram/@tokyosmoke

The city’s most well-known licensed retailer is Tokyo Smoke and it offers a large selection of sleek pipes, vape pens, and papers from brands including its signature line, Van der Pop and Maitri. Shop at five flagship stores in Toronto — all of which aim to be an ‘reinvention of the classic coffee shop’ (think: a lot more sophisticated). This team at Tokyo Smoke prizes warm, inclusive, and educational service, so if you’re a newbie to cannabis you’re in good hands here. You can shop Tokyo Smoke at five locations in the city.

High Noon

high noon toronto cannabis styledemocracy

Instagram/@highnoonhigh

High Noon makes ceramic pipes that are so artful, you’ll want to keep them out on your coffee table. The super-unique sculptural pieces are all inspired by founder Leah Lavergne’s background in dance. Each item pays homage to movement in a distinct way. From pocket-sized to palm-sized, no two piece is alike — each with slight variations in texture, colour, and shape. You can buy High Noon accessories at Tokyo Smoke, Easy Tiger, and Likely General.

Friendly Stranger

241 Queen St. W

Since long before the days of legal pot in Canada, this headshop was a mainstay on Queen St. West. Friendly Stranger was ahead of its time even when it opened in 1994 as they brought a cut-above assortment of glass and wood pipes, bongs, and vape pens to the city. The retailer has no plans of slowing down either — the business plans to open 50 stores across the country in the next two years. 

Sackville and Co.

The lifestyle collection at Sackville and Co. is all about celebrating weed for wellness and if you’re into crystals, then the selection of gorgeous pipes will have you in love. Choose from amethyst, rose quartz, blue flourite, pink magnesite, and more. If crystals aren’t your thing, check out one of the brand’s artistic hand-painted wooden pipes, or handmade earthenware bongs. Order online, or keep an eye out for Sackville at a pop-up event in the city as these products make great gifts. 

Hemlock Rose

Hemlock Rose is a women-founded, one-stop shop for sleek, discrete, stylish accessories including trays, storage, grinders, pipes and bongs, and other lifestyle products. The ‘high-end online retail experience’ brings together product from brands including Laundry Day, Miwak Junior and others. If you want to learn how to incorporate your stunning new products into your lifestyle, check out the blog, which is an extensive resource for people getting started. 

Weedbox

weedbox toronto cannabis styledemocracy

Instagram/@weedbox.io

Until Weedbox’s Ossington Street location opens, shop its online store for accessories, apparel, and goods for the home. There’s a vast selection of smoking accessories here, for those needing something discreet or also those wanting to make a statement. Brands stocked include Summerland Ceramics, The Pursuits of Happiness, Stonedware, and more. 

Featured Image: Instagram/@sarashakeel

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If you plan on getting baked on 420 this weekend, then why not get your hands on a freshly baked pizza too?

This weekend only, Pizza Pizza is selling small cheese and pepperoni pizzas for just $4.20!

 

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Whether or not you choose to partake in the cannabis smoking that is iconic to 420, Pizza Pizza has your back when it comes to the munchies, or just regular old hunger.

On Saturday, you can walk into any Pizza Pizza location and claim all the cheesy and saucy goodness. With over 500 locations across Canada, you’re bound to find one close to you.

 

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This deal is happening at Pizza Pizza locations across the country and is valid for walk-in guests only.

Featured Image: Instagram/@pizzapizzaltd

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It hasn’t been a great start to 2019 for Canadian retailers. According to Statistics Canada, retailers posted an unexpected 0.3 per cent drop in sales for a third consecutive month in January.

Economists had predicted a 0.4 per cent gain. 

It was back between April and June 2012 when Canadian retail sales last posted three declines in a row.

Given we’re in a time dubbed as the “retail apocalypse” by experts, this year’s figures aren’t entirely surprising.  

canadian retail styledemocracy copy

Instagram/@shopsquareone

As Bloomberg highlights, the diminishing consumption of retail goods by households could be attributed to higher borrowing costs, moderating housing markets and volatile financial markets. In cities like Toronto and Vancouver,  the perpetually high housing costs — whether you own a home and have joined the “house poor” set or are dishing out ridiculous amounts of money to rent — mean there isn’t a lot of cash left over at the end of the month.

As highlighted in an analysis by Toronto retail consultant Ed Strapagiel, sales for food and drug retail weren’t as disappointing compared to other sectors (but, then again, those are kind of necessities).

For the three months ending January 2019, food and drug retail sales increased 2.4 per cent year-over-year – the highest gain of all the major retail sectors.

Perhaps because cash-strapped Canadians are choosing to dine out less, supermarkets and other grocery stores are leading the way when it comes to sales gains, with an increase of 3.0 per cent year-over-year for three months ending January 2019.

styledemocracy cash retail copy

Instagram/@thestyleclubla

This was the highest such gain in over a year. Specialty food stores and convenience stores also saw higher than average sales gains.

Things weren’t as positive at Canada’s health and personal care stores, where retail sales gained a disappointing 0.1 per cent year-over-year for the three months ending January 2019, as Strapagiel highlights.

Meanwhile, sales at general merchandise stores fell by 2.4 per cent.

styledemocracy shopping retail

Instagram/@squaresayings

As Strapagiel points out, a few retail markets struggled going into 2019, including electronics and appliance stores (where sales declined 8.8 per cent year-over-year for the three months ending January 2019), sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores (down 3.5 per cent), jewellery, luggage and leather goods stores (down 2.2 per cent), and home furnishing stores (down 1.7 per cent).

It was, however, a notably weak performance in the auto sales sector that was largely responsible for really bringing down the value of Canadian retail sales.

After gains in four of the five months prior, weakness in new car sales resulted in a 1.5 per cent drop in trade. Excluding the auto sector, retail sales were actually up 0.1 per cent. As Strapagiel suggests, the “collapsing” auto sector is due to both lower gasoline prices and almost no sales growth at the country’s new car dealerships.

In addition to a lack of disposable income for consumers, a widespread availability of ride-sharing apps in major cities, coupled with lack of available parking spaces in dense condo buildings, reduces the need to drop dollars on a car for many young professionals.

According to Strapagiel, the only sector that is doing well is the miscellaneous store retailers group, which saw retail sales climb 9.7 per cent for the three months ending January 2019 – something largely attributed to the addition of cannabis stores.

 

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This is what Toronto’s first legal cannabis store looks like. Find @thehunnypotcannabisco located at 202 Queen St. West ?? ? . . University Ave & Queen, Toronto . . #HunnyPotCannabis #QueenSt #LegaCannabisStore #LegalMarijuana #Weed #Kush #Marijuana #Ganja #Cannabis #416 #Toronto #Ontario #Canada #Canadian #6ix #CP24 #Bronx #Harlem #Brooklyn #Atlanta #Compton #Jamaica #Cuba #Guyana #Brazil #PuertoRican

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The country’s legal cannabis stores increased the sector’s sales by 4.0 per cent in that timeframe.

Judging from the lineup outside Toronto’s first pot shop, The Hunny Pot, on its first day of business, the opening of busy pot shops across Ontario will likely keep this figure healthy.

In addition to sky-high commercial real estate costs in many cities, the struggle of bricks-and-mortar stores is made harder with the increased infusion of online shopping into daily lives.

According to Statistics Canada, Canadian e-commerce sales increased 11.6 per cent year-over-year for the three months ending January 2019 and represented about 2.9 per cent of total Canadian retail sales in that time period.

When it comes to the fate of Canadian retail for the remainder of 2019, though experts predict a closing of more physical retail stores, there is some good news.

According to Retail Insider, things like upscale and carefully curated “food halls” and “food markets,” a new found investment in malls and an expansion of both luxury stores (for those who can afford to shop in them) and off-price retailers (for the rest of us) are expected to make a major mark this year and beyond. So, at least there’s that.

Featured Image: Pixabay

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The time has finally here: Toronto’s stoner set no longer has to rely on snail mail or unreliable kid dealers to get their weed fix.

The first pot shop in Toronto officially opened for business just yesterday and 4 more will (hopefully) open their greenery-filled doors in the near future.

While 25 shops have been approved in Ontario, not all managed to complete the approval process in time for the April 1 date.

Taking over 4 floors is The Hunny Pot at 202 Queen West and they’re the first on the scene to open up shop. Sleek, stylish, and thoughtfully branded, the modern 3,500-square-foot open space is filled with crisp white walls, glass design elements throughout, skylights, clean product displays, and greenery.

Social media users who have visited the store have compared it to more of a “jewellery store” or “fashion boutique” than a pot shop. It’s designed to make cannabis shopping an educational and elevated experience — a far cry from most of the illegal dispensaries that have popped up and disappeared in Toronto in recent years.

Talking points include a golden blunt presented on the pedestal it deserves, a branded (and photo-worthy) wall of fake bud and 40(!!) different varieties of cannabis.

Whether you’re a seasoned smoker or a cannabis-curious newbie, if you’re looking for expert advice, you’ll find no shortage of it from the shops team of 50 trained experts, known as “Budtenders.” For those paranoid about using their name, you will have to give your ID and create a profile, but don’t need to include your real name — whether you opt for your initials, a nickname or alias.  

 

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Down the street is Nova Cannabis at 499 Queen West. They’re also set to open up shop as soon as the paperwork is processed and red tape is waded through.

The brand currently has five locations in Alberta. Apparently, the Toronto location isn’t a franchise, and its owner, Heather Conlon, has total control of the look and feel of the store.

In Yorkville, Ameri will occupy real estate at 20 Cumberland St. in a narrow, three story building that was once home to another (illegal) dispensary. Canna Cabana is also set to take over the space at 435 Yonge Street. 

 

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Big thanks to everyone who came out for our Higher Learning sesh. From THC:CBD ratios, to taxonomy of the cannabis plant, to joint rolling 101, we covered the works. Shoutout to @free for providing us with the stellar space. ???

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Perhaps the most impressive spot will occupy the former HMV location at Yonge and Dundas. This spot will soon become home to the shiny new Tokyo Smoke pot shop. The brand is associated with elevating the cannabis experience, taking it way beyond the image of the stoner eating Doritos in their parents’ basement with offerings like designer bongs and other refined, high-end weed-smoking accessories.

Given this, we can expect this immersive 4,000-square-foot pot shop to be like the Prada of pot shops.

It won’t be surprising if part of the glassy building will also house a café, and coffee-related products as the brand is also known for its gourmet java. Tokyo smoke currently has a number of legal cannabis shops in Winnipeg.

For those in the dark, a January 11 lottery system decided which retailers would be eligible to apply for a license to sell weed in Ontario. According to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, stores that failed to open up shop in time for the April 1 deadline could face steeps fines of more than $12,000. The hope for owners is the demand — if it was anything like the lineup around the block at Hunny Pot — will easily make up for the fees.

Featured Image: Instagram/@sarashakeel

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8 Events to Celebrate the Legalization of Weed in Toronto

It’s now just one sleep away; the day we’ve all been waiting for. Cannabis is finally legal.  

Naturally, there is no shortage of events taking place across the city to mark this historic day that will no doubt see Toronto up in smoke in the best way possible. Here’s what’s happening in Toronto:

Massive Smoke at Trinity Bellwoods

While hipster haven Trinity Bellwoods has been a prime blazing grounds for years, tomorrow marks the first time the park will legally fill with marijuana smoke. Here, you can expect a massive smoke at 4:20. Just remember to bring your own weed.

Weed Did It With Tweed

Tweed – the country’s largest licensed producer – will take over the Drake Hotel on October 17 with a party in celebration of pot that features local bands, artists, unexpected party perks, and an eclectic crowd.

The Cannabis Society Presents Canada’s Legalization Party

Over at Love Child Social House, The Cannabis Society will mark legalization day with a young professional-filled affair beginning at 6 p.m. on October 17. Party perks include sponsored cannabis lounges.

Graceful Network’s Cannabis Networking Event

If you have an interest in the ever-growing business of weed, hit Brassaii tomorrow night (6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.) for Graceful Network’s networking event. Here, you can bond over the love of weed with industry investors and owners, cannabis experts, and speakers. Guests are invited to explore innovative cannabis-related products and services.

Leafly Bud Drop: Countdown to Cannabis Party

Popular cannabis website Leafly will host a cannabis eve party tonight at Mod Club. The affair runs 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and features beloved local band Dwayne Gretzky and a crowd that includes some of the city’s finest stoners.

Legalize It: A Tribute to Peter Tosh with House of David Gang

If your idea of ringing in legalization includes a side of reggae, head over to Dundas West’s Lula Lounge on October 17 (8 p.m. to 11 p.m.). Here, Toronto reggae collective David Gang will host a night of musical tributes to legendary musician Peter Tosh.

Community Wake and Bake and End of Prohibition Party

Queen West’s Friendly Stranger will keep the celebrations going all day tomorrow. The spot will partner with Hot Black Coffee to offer cannabis-related programming and culinary experiences that includes music, promotions, and activities and kicks off with a community wake and bake.

Toronto Cannabis Comedy Festival: Toronto Cannabis Legalized Party

Weed and comedy are pretty much synonymous. So, unite with hundreds of fellow LOL-seeking potheads at Lithuanian House (1573 Bloor Street West) tomorrow for a night of some of Canada’s best stoner comics, food, and music.

Are you going to celebrate tomorrow? Let us know in the comments!

According to the CBC, Shopify is “very confident” that they will be able to handle the first day of recreational pot sales in Canada. They are quoted as saying they are so confident becasue “cannabis isn’t Kylie Cosmetics.”

That type of comment may seem a little cocky, but the execs at Shopify aren’t wrong. Pot demand may be high, but it’s very unlikely that it will exceed the tens of thousands of orders Kylie Jenner’s Lip Kits generate in a single minute.

“These stores are going to get hit hard, and there’s going to be a lot of people browsing… If this is bigger than a Kylie Lip Kit drop, I think that’s going to surprise everybody,”  said Loren Padelford, Shopify’s general manager.

When Cannabis becomes legal on October 17th, some physical retail stores will exist, but the vast majority of consumers will head online to make their purchases.

Shopify has been preparing for months for the first day of legal pot use and will be one of the main tech software players in the Canadian marijuana landscape.

According to the CBC Shopify has put their systems through rigorous training and testing.  The company believes that they will be successful in fulfilling the orders and has not really shown any major cracks as of yet.

The online shopping portals for cannabis will be similar to online shopping for other products. The main difference is that there will be an age-verification system, and cannabis portals will also have an education information component for consumers.

One of the biggest concerns for Canadian consumers centres around privacy.  According to the CBC and Shopify, protocols will be in place to protect shoppers data.

“There’s lots of attention being paid to the security of the data and ensuring that people’s private information isn’t shareable or easily accessed,” Padelford said.

Hopefully, everything goes to plan and Shopify is able to meet demands… Here’s hoping.

Source: CBC

If you enjoy taking a toke every now and then you may be pleasantly surprised to head that Toronto-based company is looking for people who want to smoke weed and get paid for it.  AHLOT a Cannabis company that operates out of Toronto is hiring ‘cannabis connoisseurs’ to test out weed from licenced producers across Canada.

As Canada prepares for the legalization marijuana brands are looking to make the industry health focused. With that in mind, one of the biggest concerns about the use of marijuana by regular users is the widely varying effects people can experience.

Currently, the strains and different types of marijuana are not heavily regulated making it difficult to decide what buds to smoke if you are a new user.

The ‘cannabis connoisseur’ job will be part of AHLOT’s  Cannabis Curation Committee. The group will essentially try out different strains of marijuana so that AHLOT can get a better understanding of how the drug will affect future patients.

The are five positions available and the job is set to pay $50 an hour. On top of that, there is a $200 monthly bonus.

Who would have thought you could get paid to sit around and smoke weed -0 what a time to be alive.

Source: Metro 

 

 

Who will be selling marijuana in Ontario once it becomes legal has been a little confusing for consumers.  According to CTV the OCS (Ontario Cannabis Stores) won’t be the only ones selling marijuana once it’s legal on October 17, 2018, as the Ontario government will allow private stores to remain open as legalization takes place.

Sources close to the provincial government expect the announcement to be made public as early as next week and will outline the strategy to allow the private sector to own and operate cannabis shops.

The government would still control the distribution of cannabis and would also manage online sales.  Under the former Wynne government, Ontario was set to give full control of cannabis sales to the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, with 40 stores set to open in the next few years under the OCS banner.

The new system would see something similiar to what Albert has established which lets private business sell Cannabis with licences granted by the LCBO.

The new change stems from the new Ford government who doesn’t believe the “government should stick their noses into everything”

We will keep you posted as this story develops.

Source: CTV