While cannabis shortages do exist, federal officials disagree. Bill Blair, the minister leading Cannabis Act implementation, has repeatedly said supplies are “adequate” and even “exceed existing demand.”
How the Ford government decides to regulate retailers will have a major impact on how many retailers will get into the business — potentially thousands of distribution points are possible in the province, in contrast to just 51 in Saskatchewan and 30 in Newfoundland.
Ontario’s change to private sector cannabis stores will give consumers more convenience. That will mean stronger competition against the black market, but potentially higher consumption too.