Only moments after Toronto City Council voted in favour of allowing cannabis retail stores to open within the city's borders Thursday evening, Premier Doug Ford's government released a statement, saying current cannabis shortages will result in very few shops being able to open on April 1, 2019 - the first day they are allowed to.
"It is the federal government's responsibility to oversee cannabis production and to provide a viable alternative to the illegal market by ensuring there is sufficient supply to meet consumer demand," the release reads. "Yet, we continue to see severe supply shortages across the country in legal, licensed recreational cannabis stores."
As a result, the government says it will be dividing the opening of stores into phases, with only 25 licences issued to operators at first. It says, this will ensure the stores don't run out of product and can stay open.
This means a maximum of 25 stores across the province will open their doors on April 1.
For operators who want to be part of the first 25, the government says that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is implementing a lottery system to determine who is eligible. Anyone who is interested must submit an 'expression of interest' form to the AGCO anytime on or between January 7 and 9, 2019.
All the entries will be put into a draw that will be held on January 11. The results will be posted on the AGCO's website within the following 24 hours.
The government says the process will be overseen by a third party fairness monitor "to ensure equality and transparency."
The release states that the cannabis shortage is a cross-country issue "that demands an immediate response from Justin Trudeau and the federal government."
Until the province feels the federal government has provided a reliable supply of cannabis, it says the lottery model will stay in place. After that, it will communicate the next steps.