With the Ontario government expected to soon announce it will privatize recreational marijuana sales, Starbuds Canada has chosen Windsor as one of its Ontario locations to sell pot.
Starbuds Canada says it has entered into multiple operational agreements with stakeholders for additional stores but no Windsor location is being disclosed yet.
Recreational cannabis becomes legal in Canada on October 17 and Starbuds says it is well-positioned to be a leader for retail cannabis distribution in Ontario.
"It’s a game-changer for Canada, the industry as a whole, and for the communities in Ontario. We look forward to further extending our expansion plans to include Ontario and provide further investment opportunities for our stakeholders,” says Dave Martyn, president of Starbuds Canada and Compass Cannabis Clinic. “As one of North America’s fastest growing cannabis brands, this provides favourable circumstances for us to extend our services there.”
Windsor is one of the company’s first entries into the eastern market. Compass Cannabis Clinic, the medicinal arm of the company, is already operating in B.C. and Alberta and is a leader in the medicinal cannabis industry. The new Ontario stores could make it a nationally recognized and trusted chain.
“We’re thrilled to have an opportunity for our joint venture to expand into Ontario. Consumers should have options in who they purchase cannabis from, and this expansion only strengthens our position as a leading provider across not only Canada but North America as well,” says Brian Ruden, founder and CEO of Starbuds U.S. “Our goal is to provide fantastic customer service combined with educational support for patrons in Ontario, along with further investment opportunities for our stakeholders.”
Starbuds Canada says the real estate can convert to a Compass Cannabis Clinic if the private retail stores are not approved.
Founded in 2013, Starbuds was the first retail outlet to receive licensing when Colorado legalized recreational cannabis. It has 13 locations operating across Colorado and Maryland and has licensing to operate in Louisiana and Massachusetts.
In 2017, Starbuds generated over $50-million in revenue.
