The province of Ontario is continuing its enforcement efforts against the illegal pot market while also educating youth on the drug and its effects.
Ontario is putting out the third and final round of funding through its Cannabis Legalisation Implementation Fund (OCLIF). This sum of $6.74 million will be geared toward the proper implementation of the recreational cannabis trade. An additional $3.26 million will be used to focus on enhancing the enforcement of illegal pot operations for a total of $10 million. The funding can only be used toward legal cannabis implementation.
Ontario Minister of Finance Rod Phillips said the partnership with municipalities is essential when it comes to enforcement and education.
"Municipalities are important partners in the implementation of recreational cannabis legalisation," said Phillips. "We look forward to continuing to work together to protect our youth and communities and combat the illegal cannabis market."
The Ford government earmarked $30 million earlier this year as part of a two-year initiative to help municipalities cover the cost of cannabis enforcement. The new $10 million was set aside to address unforeseen occurrences relating to legal pot, with priority given to communities that did not opt-out of having physical cannabis stores.
The Ontario Provincial Police and various provincial joint forces are among those expected to benefit from the enforcement funding, said Phillips.
"Enforcement teams work on a regional basis and are available to all municipalities and First Nations," Phillips said. "This collaborative approach enables law enforcement to target crime across the province in a coordinated, consistent way."
Phillips said the province is preparing to issue additional licences to legal pot retailers with up to 50 new permits to be issued across Ontario.
London already has three retail cannabis stores in operation. Windsor and Chatham-Kent are both eligible for a brick-and-mortar store, but a licence has not yet been approved for either municipality.