One week on and Ontario’s REC retail lottery continues to disappoint. In an August 30 “Update on the Status of the Cannabis Allocation Lottery,” the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario revealed that 12 of last week’s 42 lottery winners did not submit required paperwork by the Wednesday deadline and were disqualified, while one applicant withdrew.
- Among the requirements is legal proof the applicant has possession of the retail space listed in their application. All addresses affiliated with REC Retailer High Life—whose addresses were used in hundreds of applications—appear to have been disqualified for failing to submit required documents.
Financial Post, Twitter - The remaining 29 applicants submitted their applications and are being considered for licenses.
- All three locations located at 1982, 1988, and 2008 Commerce Park Drive in Toronto suburb Innisfil were disqualified.
- The application using the address of scofflaw dispensary CAFE was one of those that went ahead to consideration.
Twitter—Jameson Berkow
With the exception of one store in a suburb of Ottawa, the initial second Ontario REC retail lottery passed over all towns and cities east of Oshawa. Rural Ontario should get used to a long wait for REC retail.
CBC Ottawa. Globe and Mail
- Following the news that 13 of the 42 winners were not eligible for applications, however, the spread of stores in the province’s East Region shifted: Ottawa and its suburbs got three license applications instead of one, while other cities north and east of Toronto got spots as well.
- A Montessori preschool in Toronto’s tony Beaches area complained after a REC retailer was awarded the right to apply for a license four doors away. “I’m really angry that nobody’s considered the age group under six,” said school co-owner Leigh Anne Jacques.
Globe and Mail - Critics noted there is has been a pub located between the school and the proposed store since 1981.
Public Service Employees’ Union (OPSEU) president Smokey Thomas renewed his demand that crown alcohol monopoly the Liquor Control Board of Ontario be allowed to create LCBO-directed provincial REC stores that would compete with private enterprise. Due to LCBO collective agreements, such stores would be staffed by OPSEU members.
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