A global pandemic is doing little to stop Windsor's first licensed recreational cannabis store from opening its doors this weekend.
J. Supply Holdings will open its Windsor location at 545 Ouellette Ave. for the first time on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis that has swept the country, J. Supply Chief Design Officer David Craig told BlackburnNews.com in an email that the company's new location in Windsor will ensure its customers follow a number of store protocols to ensure everyone's safety.
"Our main concern is to serve the community in a responsible way and to keep our staff safe," Craig said in the email.
Policy cards with a list of the protocols will be handed out to each customer before they enter the store, and online ordering can be completed from outside of the Ouellette Avenue location. Instructions on how to complete online orders will be provided, and order pickup will take place inside of the store.
A temperature gun will be used by staff to screen individuals exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms that could put others in danger. All staff will be wearing protective gear and will be keeping customers a safe distance apart from each other. Also, the number of customers in the store will be limited, as will the time they are allowed to remain in the store.
"J. Supply reserves the right to refuse entry to any individual who does not comply with social distancing protocols," Craig said.
While all surfaces will be regularly sanitized, the store will only be accepting debit and credit cards at this time. As well, cannabis and accessories will remain under glass and will not be displayed on shelves to avoid any possible transfer from person to person.
While several retail storefronts have opened in other cities across the province since cannabis was legalized in Ontario, Windsor has waited over 18 months for its first pot shop. The store is expected to offer 450 cannabis products, which are supplied by the Ontario Cannabis Store.
The Ontario government recently released a list of over 70 services that it considers to be "essential" during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recreational cannabis stores were among those deemed an essential service and are currently permitted to operate.
This is the second storefront J. Supply Holdings has opened in Ontario. The first is located in London.
Over 900 people in Ontario have been infected by COVID-19, including nine in Windsor.
-With files from Adelle Loiselle