TORONTO - An Ontario judge has paused the licensing process for the province's latest round of cannabis retail stores.
Superior Court Justice David Corbett granted a two-week stay, which was requested by a group of 11 people who won the government's licence lottery but were later disqualified.
The 11 applicants are requesting a judicial review of their rejection, as well as the procedures involved in the lottery that has been used to grant all Ontario's cannabis retail licences.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario said last month the group had failed to meet a deadline to file documents required for their applications to proceed.
Corbett's stay takes effect today and arguments are to be heard on Sept. 25.
During the hearing lawyers for the commission said putting licensing on hold would affect the integrity of the process.
Robin Linley, who represents some of the newly chosen applicants, said his clients have already taken steps to meet the application criteria.
But lawyers for the 11 eliminated applicants argued the decisions of the new applicants should have no bearing on their case.
