Timeline: AGCO’s role in regulating retail cannabis in Ontario

Learn the AGCO's role in allocating the first cannabis retail stores during the period October, 2018 to March, 2020
October 17, 2018
Ontario's provincial legislature passes the Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act setting out the legal structure for private cannabis retail in Ontario and giving the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) the authority to license, regulate and enforce the sale of recreational cannabis through privately run stores in Ontario
November 16, 2018
The Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 and its regulations come into force and the AGCO officially becomes the regulator of private recreational cannabis retailing in Ontario
December 13, 2018
The Government of Ontario announces that a temporary cap of 25 Retail Store Authorizations will be imposed while cannabis supply stabilizes. The Government of Ontario gives the AGCO the mandate to hold a lottery to determine who could apply for Retail Operator Licences.
January 11, 2019
The first lottery (known as the “Expression of Interest” lottery) takes place, in accordance with the Expression of Interest Lottery Rules
March 7, 2019
The AGCO approves and issues the first three cannabis Retail Operator Licences in Ontario
April 1, 2019
The AGCO approves the first 10 retail stores to open in Ontario
July 3, 2019
The Government announces that an additional 50 cannabis retail stores will be permitted across Ontario (42 allocated by lottery and eight available for stores on First Nations reserves)
August 20, 2019
The second lottery (known as the Allocation lottery) takes place, in accordance with the Cannabis Retail Store Allocation Lottery Rules.
January 6, 2020
The cannabis lottery rules for both lotteries are terminated and revoked
March 2, 2020
Restrictions end on the total number of store authorizations permitted in Ontario and their regional distribution