London has made the list of cities that will have LCBO-run marijuana stores this summer.
The LCBO announced the list of 14 cities that are part of the first round of location selections for the cannabis stores that will open once the federal government officially legalizes pot.
"Over the coming weeks, staff from the Ministry of Finance and the LCBO will meet with staff at the identified municipalities to discuss the guidelines and process for siting stores and local interests," a statement from the LCBO says. "The guidelines will achieve our objectives of protecting youth by ensuring stores are not in close proximity to schools, while providing access within communities and addressing the illegal market."
Once a specific site for a store is selected, the LCBO says it will post public notices at the site and online. Residents will then have the opportunity to ask questions and submit comments before a final decision is made regarding the site.
The Ontario government announced in September that it plans to eventually open a total of 150 cannabis stores run by the LCBO.
The first 40 are to be in place by this July. Another 40 will open by 2019, with the remaining 70 to open by 2020.
The other host cities announced Friday are: Barrie Brampton Hamilton Kingston Kitchener Mississauga Ottawa Sault Ste. Marie Sudbury Thunder Bay Toronto Vaughan Windsor
The province says marijuana will also be sold through an online channel.
