How many is too many? Number of Ontario pot shops has nearly doubled since the spring
The number of cannabis retailers in Ontario has grown steadily since 2018, when selling the drug in retail settings first became legal, and the number of stores in province has now reached into the thousands.
In fact, the province recently hit a new milestone in the industry, surpassing 1,000 open, authorized cannabis retailers in Ontario.
"In just over two short years, we’ve reached 1,000 Authorized Cannabis Store locations across the province," the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) said in a statement.
“Not only is this a huge step for the legal market, but it has created a diverse roster of retail partners that we’re so proud to work with every day.”
Toronto cannabis retailer 6 of Spade became the 1,000th store in the province when it opened in August of this year.
In March, a report by OCS showed that the province only had 527 pot shops across 122 regions, meaning that the number of licensed retailers has nearly doubled since early spring,
Toronto retailers make up approximately one-quarter of all the cannabis retailers in the province, says OCS. Their website currently lists nearly 250 retailers within the city.
According to the agency, as of July 2021, the average distance between consumers and a cannabis shop in Toronto dropped to 6.5 kilometres from 19 kilometres between April 2020 and March 2021.
In fact, the number of legal cannabis retailers currently operating in the province has well surpassed the amount of LCBOs, which the government says there are 660 of.
This rapid growth isn’t necessarily good news for all, says the agency.
“Unfortunately, this rapid growth will likely result in some retailers being faced with increased competition and a crowded marketplace, which could result in some closures and market rightsizing," David Lobo, the interim president and chief executive of the Ontario Cannabis Store, said in an annual report released this summer.
"At the core, all retailers will be challenged to further drive a relentless focus on targeted consumer segments and differentiating themselves from others," he said.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario website features an interactive map that allows you to view all legal retailers within the province.
With files from The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.