Pubdate: Fri, 16 Dec 2016
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Robert Benzie
Page: A6

PREMIER VAGUE ON LCBO'S ROLE IN POT SALES

Queen's Park has not decided how Ontario will structure its marijuana
retail model

Premier Kathleen Wynne is keeping an open mind about what - if any -
role the Liquor Control Board of Ontario will have in the recreational
marijuana business.

In her first public statement since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's
federal task force on legalization released its recommendations
Tuesday, Wynne was noncommittal when asked about the LCBO's
involvement in cannabis sales.

"I really believe that this is all in process and I think it's good
that we're starting to hear some directional information from the
federal government," she told reporters in Montreal after a meeting
with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard.

"But we're going to let this play out and then we'll engage with the
federal government on next steps in our individual
jurisdictions."

Wynne had mused about the province's booze monopoly selling marijuana
in its 650 stores alongside wine, beer and spirits, but she has come
to the conclusion that's not a good idea.

"It may not even be sold out of the LCBO. Because I've had people say
to me we don't want to have marijuana and alcohol sold out of the same
places," she told the Star in July, pointing out the government agency
could instead be involved in "regulation and distribution and
monitoring it in some way."

The federal task force report, which is the blueprint for legislation
being introduced next year and taking effect in 2018 or 2019,
recommended "no co-location of alcohol or tobacco and cannabis sales,
wherever possible." "When co-location cannot be avoided, appropriate
safeguards must be put in place," the report said, urging "limits on
the density and location of storefronts, including appropriate
distance from schools, community centres, public parks, etc."

It also advised that marijuana could be sold through "dedicated
storefronts with well-trained, knowledgeable staff" and "a
direct-to-consumer mail-order system."

At Queen's Park - where bureaucrats from a dozen departments are
developing the province's marijuana strategy - no decisions have yet
been made about what Ontario's retail model will look like.

That means the LCBO could control distribution, with
government-regulated marijuana then sold through pharmacies, such as
Shoppers Drug Mart.

Or there might be separate LCBO-run stores for marijuana that do not
sell alcohol.

Meanwhile, the liquor giant is awaiting its marching orders from the
province.

"The process to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana is still
underway at the federal level," the LCBO's Genevieve Tomney said.

"LCBO would take direction from the provincial government as to any
role it may have in retailing cannabis.

"It is premature to speculate as to what that role may be, but we are
paying close attention to the process as it unfolds and reviewing
publicly available information, including the task force's report."
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MAP posted-by: Matt