Acton's first retail cannabis store looks like it's set to open pending approval from the AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario). T Cannabis, has applied for a Retail Store Authorization to sell cannabis products at 38 Mill Street East. However, Council has filed an objection with the Commission, citing the location's proximity to the Youth Centre and Links2Care as not being in the public interest. According to Town Communication Director, Alexandra Fuller: “The Town has appealed this particular location but it will be up to the AGCO to determine whether or not a license is issued. “
A visit to the AGCO's status of retail store applications reveals that T Cannabis' application for the Mill St. Location is “in progress.” T Cannabis has also applied for a franchise in Smith Falls, and is currently operating a marijuana retail store in Beamsville.
Not much is known about T Cannabis. The manager of the Beamsville store would only say that the chain is operated by a group of business people from Toronto. A query to the company's Facebook page received the following reply: “Timing will be dependent on the AGCO and municipality of Halton Hills. We will keep you updated and looking forward to serving you soon.”
Apparently, Retail Store Authorizations are widely coveted across the province. AGCO receives hundreds of applications per month. Ontario opened the process to retail applicants in January after scrapping its initial lottery system. Currently three store applications in Georgetown are “in progress,” six in Milton, and Guelph has no fewer than ten applications pending. The provincial government planned to open 20 new stores per month in 2020. Ontario's 100th retail store opened in June.
Regardless, T Cannabis appears poised to open its doors if it gets a letter of approval. The windows are dressed with the company's logo and phone number. But Councillor Jon Hurst suggests there maybe another motive: “I'm thinking perhaps they are moving ahead with the site and signage to discourage any other possible applications in Acton.”
Town Council may have painted itself into a corner by “opting in” to allowing cannabis businesses after a heated public debate in the chambers on January, 21. Municipalities had the ability to opt out the program, but once opted-in they can't back out of the process, and the final decision on a store's location rests with the AGCO. Will Acton's first retail pot shop be located at 38 Mill St. East? The answer is “in progress”.
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