Retail Store Authorization

To open a retail store and sell recreational cannabis, you must have a CRSA.

There are some places where you cannot open a cannabis retail store. More information about that is in the section of this Guide called 'Retail Store Location'.

Generally, you must wait two years to apply again for a CRSA if you:

• applied for a new CRSA or renewal of a CRSA in the past but were refused, or
• you had a CRSA in the past but the authorization was revoked.

You are not eligible for a CRSA for a store if:

• you do not have a CROL now, or would not have a CROL at the time when the CRSA would be issued.
• you have a CROL that has conditions that do not allow you to apply for or receive a CRSA for that store.
• you have been convicted of or charged with certain offences:
  • any offence under the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 or its regulation
  • certain offences under the Cannabis Control Act, 2017 and Cannabis Act (Canada) or their regulations
• you have, or previously had, certain roles or connections with a criminal organization as defined in subsection 467.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Canada):
  • you are, or have been a member of the criminal organization
  • you are, or have been involved in the criminal organization
  • you contribute, or have contributed to, the activities of the organization.
• you are carrying on activities that are not in compliance with certain with certain laws.
  • Certain offences under the Cannabis Control Act, 2017 and Cannabis Act 
• you hire or plan to hire someone who does not have a CRML, but should have that Licence because of the work they do.
• it is not in the public interest, based on the needs and wishes of the people who live in the municipality where the proposed store would be located.After you apply for a CRSA, the Registrar will inform local residents and the municipality about the application by having a notice posted at the proposed store and on the AGCO’s website.  
  • The municipality or local residents have an opportunity to submit written submissions to the Registrar about whether the proposed store is in the public interest. The submissions must be sent within 15 calendar days after the notice is posted.
  • Relevant submissions are limited to the following matters of public interest:
    •  protecting public health and safety; 
    •  protecting youth and restricting their access to cannabis; and 
    • preventing illicit activities in relation to cannabis.
• the store, equipment and facilities do not comply with the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 and its regulation, the Registrar’s Standards for Cannabis Retail Stores or requirements.
• you do not have sufficient control over the store, equipment and facilities
• you have made a false statement or provided false information in your application 
• you already hold, or you and your affiliates between you already hold, 150 cannabis retail store authorizations 
• the proposed cannabis retail store would be located less than 150 metres from a school or private school, as defined by the Education Act, 1990.
• the proposed cannabis store would not be enclosed by walls separating it from any other commercial establishment or activity 
• the proposed cannabis retail store would include an outdoor area 
• the proposed cannabis retail store could be entered from or passed through in order to access any other commercial establishment or activity, other than a common area of an enclosed shopping mall (note: this does not apply to spaces shared with other commercial establishments that are only accessible to employees of either business or other non-customers permitted by either business, as long as the entryway to the cannabis store is secured to prevent unauthorized access).

A licensed producer and its affiliates are eligible to apply for a single CRSA. The proposed cannabis retail store must be located on or within the site set out in the federally issued production licence.

You may have conditions put on your CRSA to address any specific risks or concerns.  There are also conditions in the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 and its regulation that apply to CRSAs. 

You cannot transfer your CRSA to another person or business.