Shop owner Jennawae Cavion says it’s unfortunate and paints a poor portrait of the market in Ontario and Canada, which is the first G7 country to legalize recreational cannabis.
The COVID pandemic has highlighted people’s spending habits, and some businesses have done better than others.
ennawae McLean has been named the executive director for the Canadian chapter of NORML, National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws.
“And from what I can tell, we have doing quite well all along because we have such a great team, of course, but a super supportive community that’s been following us.”
“In order for our justice system to be truly effective, we need to have viable options for people to do after while they’re in rehabilitation, after they’ve done their sentence, whatever it may be,” she said.
“We are pretty happy. It’s the best day ever,” said Jennawae McLean, owner of Calyx and Trichomes, a head shop in Kingston’s west end. “This is, basically the worst time to celebrate anything, but it’s at least a little bit of sunshine on a super cloudy month,” she said, referring to the current novel coronavirus crisis.
“They need to get rid of this lottery system and just start approving stores that are ready, because we’ve been ready for inspection since January,” says McLean.
Ontario also unveiled the next phase of cannabis retail operations, opening up the market even more. The cap of 25 brick and mortar stores in Ontario will be raised.
“And from what we can tell, the people who have won for the eastern region are not from Kingston.”
-Jennawae McLean
“For it to pass unanimously is the best way this night could have ended,” McLean said, nearly breaking out into tears of joy after council voted.
Owner of head shop 420 Kingston Jennawae McLean is hopeful her application will be chosen, since she’s been renovating a large cannabis retail space for several months she’s named Calyx and Trichomes.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will be accepting expression of interest applications come next week. The lottery system will be used to help select 25 possible applicants and a wait list.
