STONERS REJOICE: Toronto’s first legal cannabis outlet opens doors
And it’s not even Weeds-day!
About 50 people braved bone-chilling temperatures Monday to line up outside Toronto’s first legal cannabis store.
The Hunny Pot Cannabis Co., owned by Hunny Gawri, opened its doors on Queen St. W., west of University Ave., at 9 a.m.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for this to happen,†Chris Buckley said. “I’ve been buying before but I prefer to do it this way: Legal.â€
Buckley was one of those who queued early to become pot pioneers. They were young hipsters and old hippies, white, black, Asian, Indigenous and more, and ultimately, a vivid cross-section of how Toronto looks.
One woman — who works in the cannabis industry and didn’t want her name published — called it “an amazing day in Ontario history.â€
Jonathan Hirsh displays approximately $60 worth of buds purchased from the Hunny Pot on Queen St. W. on Monday, April 1, 2019 in Toronto. Veronica Henri/Toronto Sun
The opening comes about six months after Canada legalized recreational cannabis.
Ontario was the last province to open bricks-and-mortar outlets, with an initial group of 25 stores being chosen as part of a lottery. However, some are still in the approval process and only 10 were given the OK to open April 1: Three in Ottawa, two in Kingston and one each in Toronto, Brampton, Burlington, London, and St. Catharines.
Until Monday, residents were only legally able to buy pot through the government-run online Ontario Cannabis Store.
The Hunny Pot is definitely dope dealing 2.0, more chic shop than back alley greaseball.
Colin Jones, 25, arrived outside the outlet around 7:40 a.m. He said he always knew the day would come when pot would be legal.
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“I knew the government wanted to get their hands on the money. Legalization wasn’t for us, it was for them,†Jones said, adding he tokes to keep calm and cut his stress level.
But among the reefer gladness, there was one man who urged cannabis caution.
Lawyer Omar-Ha-Redeye said caution is the better part of valour when it comes to pot.
“My view is that legalization is a positive thing but we have to be careful,†the legal eagle said outside the store.
Ha-Redeye pointed out that studies have shown users under 30 may be susceptible to psychosis and schizophrenia.
He said safety concerns regarding driving while stoned, working in a job using heavy equipment and law enforcement will require a more sober approach.
“I’m telling people, ‘It’s legal now, use it safely and be aware of the risk,’†he said.
The government held a lottery in January to pick 25 entities that could apply for store licences.
Lottery winners then had to turn in their applications, along with a $6,000 non-refundable fee and a $50,000 letter of credit, and had to agree to a strict timeline to open their shops.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission has the power to draw down the letter of credit in stages in case of delays. Failing to open a store today can result in a $12,500 draw down, while not opening by the end of April means applicants risk losing their entire $50,000 letter of credit.
Pot store licences have been divided regionally, with five going to eastern Ontario, seven to the west, two in the north, six in the Greater Toronto Area and five in Toronto itself.
— With files from the Canadian Press