After years of resistance, the city of Mississauga in Ontario has finally lifted its ban on legal cannabis stores. The decision to reverse the ban was made by the city council, and it has opened up a new business opportunity for entrepreneurs in the area. Just two weeks after the decision, requests for permits to open cannabis stores in the city have started to trickle in.
The Reversal of the Ban
Mississauga was the largest city in Ontario to ban legal cannabis stores, a decision that was made in 2018. However, the city council finally lifted the ban with an eight-to-four vote in favor of legalizing the stores. This decision has paved the way for businesses to apply for permits to sell legal cannabis products in the city.
Applications Begin to Flow
After the council’s decision to allow legal cannabis stores in Mississauga, entrepreneurs have begun submitting applications for permits. Pop’s Cannabis Co. has already submitted two applications, with plans for a third, and five stores in total are in the early stages of applying for permits. The locations of the stores are Bloor Street East, Dundas Street West, North Service Road, Truscott Drive, and Southdown Drive.
Advantages of the Legalization
Entrepreneurs like Ryan Dymond, President of Pop’s Cannabis Co., believe that the council’s decision is advantageous for the city. They feel that it is better now than it was in 2018 since they now have a better understanding of how to resonate with the community and overcome stigmas associated with the product. Furthermore, the legalization of cannabis stores will promote job growth and help to stamp out the illegal market, making safe, regulated products more accessible to residents.
Learning from Mistakes
The early days of cannabis legalization were chaotic, with a mad rush to open as many stores as possible. However, entrepreneurs like Dymond feel that the market can support multiple locations, and Mississauga presents an opportunity not to repeat past mistakes. The lessons learned from the early days of legalization will help businesses like Pop’s Cannabis Co. make better decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.
Dissipating Confusion
The ban on legal cannabis stores in Mississauga led to confusion among residents. Many assumed that the illegal stores were legal, given the city’s decision to ban legal stores. However, lifting the ban and allowing legal stores will help to dissipate this confusion. Pop’s Cannabis Co. encourages everyone to look for the authorized Ontario decal, which indicates that the product is legalized recreational cannabis.
Conclusion
Mississauga’s decision to lift its ban on legal cannabis stores is a significant step forward for the city. Entrepreneurs have begun submitting applications for permits, and legal stores will help to stamp out the illegal market, promote job growth, and make regulated products more accessible to residents. By learning from the mistakes of the past, businesses like Pop’s Cannabis Co. can make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls. With the authorized Ontario decal indicating that the product is legalized recreational cannabis, the confusion among residents will dissipate.
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