Ontario announces winners of 2nd pot store licence lottery

Ontario has selected 42 operators who can apply to run cannabis shops in the province.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which regulates the sector, held the province’s second cannabis store lottery on Tuesday and announced the results on Wednesday.

The commission says it received more than 4,800 expressions of interest in the lottery.

Unlike the first lottery, applicants in the latest draw had to show that they had secured retail space that could be used as a store if they were selected, and that they had enough capital to open it.

The winners now have until Aug. 28 to complete an application to open a store that will be vetted by the AGCO.

The 42 stores will be distributed regionally. There will be:

• 13 in the city of Toronto.
• Six going to the Greater Toronto Area.
• 11 in the west region.
•  Seven going to the east region.
•  In the north, one each in Kenora, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay and Timmins.