Registrar's Standards for Cannabis Retail Stores

(Last Update: June 2022)

Introduction

The Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 and its regulation provide the Registrar with authority to establish standards and requirements in the following areas:

• store premises, equipment and facilities, including surveillance and security
• the prevention of unlawful activities
• advertising and promotional activities
• training and other measures related to the responsible use, sale or distribution of cannabis
• the protection of assets and security of records
• compliance with the federal cannabis tracking system.

These Standards are outlined in the Registrar’s Standards for Cannabis Retail Stores. Licensees are required to comply with the Registrar’s Standards for Cannabis Retail Stores, as well as all applicable laws and regulations, including the Cannabis Control Act, 2017, the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018, and Ontario Regulation 468/18.

The objective of a standards-base

• record-keeping and measures to maintain confidentiality ad regulatory model is to shift the focus from requiring licensees to comply with a specific set of rules or processes, toward the broader regulatory outcome or objectives they are expected to achieve. Since there may be many ways for a licensee to meet the Standards, licensees have the flexibility to determine what works best for their business, thereby strengthening regulatory outcomes without needlessly burdening regulated entities.

Holders of a CROL are responsible for meeting all Standards. Where not specified otherwise, Standards also apply to holders of a CRML. 

The Registrar’s Standards for Cannabis Retail Stores will be reviewed and revised on a regular basis to ensure that they are effective in mitigating risks as the cannabis retail sector matures.

Click here for the Registrar’s Standards for Cannabis Retail Stores