Cannabis Growers in Ontario can no Longer Have Wives that do Child Care in Home
Ontario is set to enact significant changes in its approach to cannabis regulation with the introduction of the new Enhancing Justice Act. This comprehensive omnibus bill, if passed, will simultaneously strengthen restrictions on cannabis cultivation in homes offering childcare services and expand the cannabis retail market.
Attorney General Doug Downey, expressing concern about the coexistence of cannabis cultivation and childcare environments, stated, “We find this deeply unsettling and inappropriate.” While clarifying that the proposed change is not a reflection on the quality of childcare services, Downey emphasized that it is a matter of preventing potential exposure issues, saying, “It’s simply an exposure issue. We just don’t want it commingling.”
Though specific incidents leading to this legislative change were not detailed by Downey, he acknowledged that the need for regulation arose from underlying issues. The bill, aiming to protect children and youth from cannabis exposure, reflects Ontario’s commitment to prioritizing the safety of its youngest residents.
In a parallel move, the bill seeks to respond to the burgeoning legal cannabis market by doubling the number of storefronts a cannabis operator can manage in the province, increasing the cap from 75 to 150. This change is designed to bolster the competitive legal market and curtail the influence of illegal cannabis stores.
Since the legalization of recreational marijuana in Canada five years ago, the cannabis retail sector in Ontario has faced intense competition. More than 1,700 cannabis stores are currently authorized by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, with another 56 applications in progress. The expansion of retail operations is seen as a necessary step to accommodate the growing legal market and to provide more opportunities for business owners within the industry.
These developments in Ontario’s cannabis policy represent a significant shift, balancing the need for public safety, particularly concerning children, with the demands of an evolving and competitive legal cannabis market. As the legislation moves forward, it marks a pivotal moment in Ontario’s journey of managing cannabis use and distribution, ensuring community safety while embracing the economic potential of the cannabis sector.
