Things to Know Before You Begin

Processing Times

• The AGCO has a dedicated cannabis licensing team to work with CROL, CRSA and CRML applicants.
• Applications must be submitted online through the iAGCO portal and include all the required information.
• Circumstances that may result in longer than usual processing times for CROL applications include:
  • Higher risk applicant eligibility factors requiring closer inspection (e.g. criminal, financial and other applicant/affiliate background considerations). For more information, please see the Cannabis Retail Licences and Authorization section of this Guide
  • Complex corporate structure
  • Incomplete application submissions requiring multiple discussions with the applicant. For more information, please see the Application Process section of this Guide
  • Applicant delays in responding to the AGCO when it requests clarifications or further information
  • Applicant delays in providing the AGCO with fully executed agreements with third parties and disclosure information on all parties with an interest in the business
• Circumstances that may result in longer than usual processing times for CRSA applications include:
  • Incomplete application submissions requiring multiple discussions with the applicant
  • Applicant delays in responding to the AGCO when it requests clarifications or further information
  • High volume of written submissions received through the public notice process
  • The store is not ready for pre-authorization inspection
  • The store does not meet pre-authorization inspection requirements.
• Please note that the CRSA application will not be approved if it is in a municipality that has opted out of having cannabis retail stores.

Licence Holder Responsibilities

For complete details about your legal responsibilities as a CROL, CRML or CRSA holder, refer to the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 and its regulation which is available online or by contacting Publications Ontario at 416-326-5300 or toll-free at 1-800-668-9938.

Personal and Entity Disclosure Requirements

There are personal and entity disclosure requirements when applying for a CROL, CRSA and CRML. Entity/individual disclosure information must also be provided by applicant corporations and by all corporations directly or indirectly holding 10% or more of shares. For more information, see the Personal and Entity Disclosure Requirement Guide.

Municipal Requirements

Prior to applying for a CRSA, please check with your local municipality to ensure that your premises meets municipal requirements for retail stores and that it is not a municipality that has opted out of cannabis retail sales.    

Public Notice

Once a complete CRSA application is received by AGCO:

1. The applicant will be notified, via iAGCO, that they have 24 hours to post a placard at the location of the proposed retail store location.  The placard must be posted for 15 calendar days and it will indicate that an application has been submitted for a cannabis retail store at that location.
2. All CRSA applications that are undergoing the public notice process will be searchable on the AGCO’s iAGCO portal.

After the public notice period has ended, the AGCO will provide the applicant with copies of any written submissions received from local residents and from the municipality as a result of the public notice process in response to the application. Authorization applicants will have five (5) calendar days to provide a written response to the Registrar related to any written submissions received from local residents and/or the municipality and the Registrar will consider the applicant’s response, if any.

• Relevant submissions are limited to the following matters of public interest:
  • Protecting public health and safety 
  • Protecting youth and restricting their access to cannabis
  • Preventing illicit activities in relation to cannabis.
     

For more information on the public notice process, please see the Public Notice for a Cannabis Retail Store Authorization section of this guide.

Application Process for Operating a Cannabis Retail Store on a First Nations Reserve

To operate a retail store and sell recreational cannabis in a store on a First Nations reserve, you must apply for a CROL and a CRSA.
•    You may only apply for a CROL and a CRSA if you submitted a complete CRSA application online form through iAGCO .
 

To be eligible to obtain a CRSA Retail Store Authorization, applicants for a cannabis retail store to be located on a First Nations reserve must demonstrate that the band council has approved the location of the prospective cannabis retail store.

A band council resolution must:

• Be uploaded as a requirement to complete the Retail Store Authorization Intent to Apply
• Approve the location of the store on the reserve

To receive a CROL or CRSA  for a cannabis retail store to be located on a First Nations reserve, a prospective operator must also meet all the requirements of the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018. 

For more information about the application process for operating a cannabis retail store on a First Nations reserve, please see the Application Process for a Cannabis Retail Store on a First Nations Reserve web page.

Fees and Payment

Licence and Authorization Fees

1. Fee
   • You must pay the required fee when you first apply for a cannabis retail-related licence or authorization.
   • The fees for a CROL for a CRSA or for a CRML are for a two-year period, after which time you will have to renew them. 
   • Fee payments must be received by the AGCO before a licence or authorization application can be processed. If an application is withdrawn, or if the AGCO refuses to issue the licence or authorization for any reason, the fee is non-refundable. 
2. Renewal Fee
   • If you wish to continue operating your business or being employed as a retail manager, you will have to pay a renewal fee before your licence or authorization expires.
   • The renewal fee covers some of the ongoing costs of regulation, which includes activities such as inspection, and customer service support.
   • When you renew, you can select a two-year or four-year renewal term for any of the three licence or authorization types. There is no difference in the overall cost per year.
   • Fee payments must be received by the AGCO before a licence or authorization application can be processed. If an application is withdrawn, or if the AGCO refuses to issue the licence or authorization for any reason, the fee is non-refundable. 

Fee Payment

• When using online services, all payments under $30,000 must be made by Visa, MasterCard, Visa Debit or MasterCard Debit.
• Payments of $30,000 or more must be made by money wire transfer or electronic funds transfer. For more information, please contact AGCO Customer Service at 416-326-8700 or 1-800-522-2876.
• Cheques and cash are not accepted as forms of payment when using iAGCO online services. 
• Fee payments must be received by the AGCO before a licence or authorization application can be processed. If an application is withdrawn, or if the AGCO refuses to issue the licence or authorization for any reason, the fee is non-refundable. 
• Additional fees may be required for investigations.

For more information, visit the Fees and Payment section of this Guide.

The Ontario Cannabis Store

The Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation (OCRC), operating as the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), is the exclusive wholesaler of cannabis in Ontario to authorized private retail stores. Private retailers can only purchase cannabis from the OCS.  Retail store operators will be required to enter into a wholesale supply agreement with the OCS in order to begin purchasing cannabis for resale in their authorized stores. 

Retail store operators should contact the OCS once they have been issued their CROL from the AGCO.  For more information, visit learn.ocswholesale.ca or call 1-877-627-1627.