THUNDER BAY -- Thunder Bay is among the first 14 cities where the Wynne government will establish government-run, stand-alone cannabis stores.
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario, which will run the stores through a subsidiary, says they will be open by July of 2018.
Over the coming weeks, LCBO officials and staff from the Ministry of Finance will meet with municipal representatives in each of the communities to discuss the guidelines and process for selection of store sites.
The LCBO says its aim is to protect youth by ensuring stores are not located close to schools, while still providing access within communities and addressing the illegal market.
Once a specific store site is identified, a public notice will be posted, and citizens will have an opportunity to submit comments before the site is confirmed.
Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie are the only other cities in northern Ontario included in the initial group of 14.
Additional municipalities will be chosen later, with the aim of setting up about 40 shops in 2018, another 40 the following year, and a total of 150 outlets by 2020.
All consumers in the province will also be able to access marijuana through an online retail website.
