Ontario’s legal pot stores celebrate one year in business — but most cannabis users are still buying illegally
The current pace at which stores are being approved in Ontario is “not going to put a major dent in satisfying demand”
The Toronto Star (Canada)
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Canada’s black market of pot is still riding rampant over licensed retailers, a year into what many say continues to be a slow rollout of brick-and-mortar stores in Ontario and regulatory challenges. Retail stores in Ontario sold approximately $200 million in recreational pot last year, accounting for the lion’s share of just under $300 million in estimated Ontario Cannabis Store recreational sales, said Cheri Mara, chief commercial officer for the OCS. That’s far below the estimated $2.9-billion provincial market value. “I wouldn’t be honest with you if I said we were happy with that number … when our mandate is to eradicate the illicit market,” she said.
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