Ontario to prohibit cannabis stores from offering delivery and curbside pickup
Ontario has announced that delivery and curbside pickup services will no longer be allowed at weed stores in the province's state of emergency ends.
Since April, the province has allowed privately-owned cannabis stores across Ontario to better cater to customers staying at home during the pandemic with delivery and curbside pickup.
Hey @ONCannabisStore, it is not acceptable to take away curbside pick-up/delivery from cannabis retailers. These stores have been relying on it as a significant source of revenue for the past several months.
— Albert Kim (@albertvancouver) July 7, 2020
BTW COVID-19 isn't over.#cannabis #legalization #canada #ontario
But according to a Richard Clark, the communications director for Ontario's Finance Minister, those services will end "when the Declaration of Emergency expires along with other temporary measures that had been put in place to support people and business during the public health emergency."
“As part of the government’s framework for reopening our province, cannabis retail stores can reopen with measures in place that can enable physical distancing, such as limiting the number of customers in the store at any one time and booking appointments.”
Clark didn't specify in his e-mail to press when we can expect those services to end, since the end date to Ontario's lockdown is still up in the air.
Ontario should have a competitive market for #cannabis: curbside pick-up & delivery should be made permanent to allow the private sector the necessary tools to compete against the illicit market, while creating jobs & economic growth. https://t.co/RgCkeAUkCe @DSafayeni
— Ontario Chamber (@OntarioCofC) July 7, 2020
But when it does, the only provider of weed delivery will be the province-run online retailer, the Ontario Cannabis Store.
The rest of Ontario's privately-owned stores will then be limited to click-and-collect, which will allow customers to order online but still require them to pick up their purchases in-store.
The announcement has sparked major concern for some of the province's retailers, many who hastily shifted their business models to provide delivery or curbside pickup to compete with illegal delivery services, which still make up more than 80 per cent of Ontario's cannabis sales.
It also forces Ontario citizens to enter physical stores, if they prefer to shop at private stores, vs the governments online store.
— Marijuana.Ca (@MarijuanaCa) July 7, 2020
It is bizarre that the Ford gov won't allow private cannabis retailers to conduct online sales and use 21st century delivery methods. It's safer.
It also calls into question health concerns surrounding the pandemic, and accessibility issues for customers who will see their access to cannabis restricted once more.
Groups like the Ontario Chamber of Commerce are calling for Ontario to make delivery and curbside pickup a permanent part of the industry.
Fareen Karim
