LCBO well suited to sell marijuana when legal, Kathleen Wynne says

[GameBoy27]

I can see Kathleen Wynne looking at ways to spend the tax dollars as we speak. One thing for sure, knowing the outrageous prices we pay for alcohol, weed sold through the LCBO won't be cheap which will allow the current black market to flourish. All you have to do is look at the proliferation of black market cigarettes to see what happens when you tax the hell out of something that can be sourced elsewhere.

And every time I hear her say "social responsibility" I want to slit my wrists. The reason the LCBO charges 2-3 times the amount for alcohol (compared to the US) has nothing to do with social responsibility and everything to do with a tax grab.

This is about tax dollars and union jobs. Nothing more!

Ontario premier says it makes sense to use distribution system province already has in place.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says it "makes a lot of sense" to use the LCBO to sell marijuana after the federal government legalizes sale of the drug.

"It makes sense to me that the liquor distribution mechanism that we have in place — the LCBO — is very well-suited to putting in place the social responsibility aspects that would need to be in place," she said Monday.

"Obviously, I don't know what the timeline is with the federal government, but it seems to me that using that distribution network of the LCBO … I think that that makes a lot of sense."

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario, owned by the provincial government, operates more than 600 liquor stores provincewide.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau included marijuana legalization in mandate letters to his ministers.

Along with Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Health Minister Jane Philpott, Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould is set to begin a federal-provincial-territorial process that will lead to the legalization and regulation of marijuana.

As for where marijuana would be sold, Trudeau has said he doesn't envision pot being available at corner stores.

No need to 'reinvent the wheel' for pot sales: union

Last month, the head of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), representing workers at the retailer, said marijuana should be sold at LCBO stores if Ottawa moves ahead with plans to legalize the drug, arguing that the LCBO already has expertise in safely selling a controlled substance.

"There would not be any need to reinvent the wheel," union president Warren (Smokey) Thomas said in November.

"For one thing they have the social responsibility part covered — they do age checks, they do refusals if somebody's intoxicated."

Thomas also cited the liquor retailer's "very secure" warehouse and distribution system.

Marijuana legalization could be windfall for province

Experts have already suggested that legalizing marijuana makes economic sense, especially for Ontario.

University of Western professor Mike Moffatt previously suggested to CBC News that Ontario could make some $5 million per year in tax revenue from pot sales, an estimate based on the population and the fact that Colorado earned over $2 million in taxes in just one month after that state legalized marijuana.

Moffatt also said the province would save even more if police stopped spending money on marijuana-related investigations.

It's less clear what legalization, and a potential LCBO-connection, would mean for the dozens of medical marijuana dispensaries that have popped up recently in Toronto. The shops — there are six in the small Kensington Market neighbourhood alone — aren't technically legal, but most of the owners are hoping to establish their businesses before the government moves to legalize the drug.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/wynne-marijuana-lcbo-1.3364158

 

[frankcastle]

Yeah but how many people know a dealer? Let alone one with locations throughout the province? Sure some deliver but there is something to be said for convenience.

How about you ever call your dealer and they have run out? Or they are not available? Or they are flakey and you have to pretend to be their friend. Or that people go in and out of the biz so what do you do when your hook up retires?

Then there's the ethical side would you rather save money but give it to a potentially violent gang?

You know tax is inevitable. So what would you rather? No tax revenue?

 

[notthemama]

I thought we were going to privatize the LCBO?
You know sell it to nice people like the ones that bought the 407.
Or maybe because pot can be considered entertainment ROGERS will get the rights. What better than stoned Tv watchers for them. Ontario already has a record of business with them ie selling them Sky Dome for less than the value of the sidewalks around it.
What fucking ethics?
Buy pot from the gangs, get pizza from mobster protected pizza joints, and get your TV signal from the biggest gangster, ROGERS.
At least we still own Hydro 1. OH, OH!

 

[elmo]

I think Pharmacies should sell it. They already dispense more powerful and addictive drugs and have patient records on file so there are no issues mixing meds. Gov't will still get their tax money and public will be well served.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

To minimize cost they would have to sell it at LCBOs. Otherwise they would have to set up a network of outlets to sell it. I would even suggest that they sell vouchers at the cash registers and the users would put the vouchers into a dispensing machine to get their dope.

 

[FAST]

As prompted by the union.

Got to keep her PAC happy.

FAST

 

[frankcastle]

I think Pharmacies should sell it. They already dispense more powerful and addictive drugs and have patient records on file so there are no issues mixing meds. Gov't will still get their tax money and public will be well served.

Not a half bad idea either.

 

[Insidious Von]

I really don't care about anything Kathleen Wynne has to say, she has lost all credibility.

With the bungled management of Hydro and by allowing the Auto Insurance companies to have their cake and eat it to, she's well on the way to becoming Ontario's worst Premiere. The Libs have been in power for too long.

 

[Big Sleazy]

It's a weed. Why not let everybody grow it and sell it. Why do you have to turn it into a bureaucratic mess all the time ?

 

[GameBoy27]

Yeah but how many people know a dealer? Let alone one with locations throughout the province? Sure some deliver but there is something to be said for convenience.

Pretty much anyone who currently smokes weed, already knows where to get it and probably has a number of sources. Weed is so prevalent these days it's about as hard to find as a bottle of water. Sure there's going to be some who don't currently smoke who will try it if it's sold at the LCBO. But I can't see many people paying double what they're paying now for "convenience".

How about you ever call your dealer and they have run out? Or they are not available? Or they are flakey and you have to pretend to be their friend. Or that people go in and out of the biz so what do you do when your hook up retires?

Typically not a concern for current weed users. In addition, anyone can already order a wide variety weed products for delivery by mail. There's no shortage of weed available for adults and any kid in school already knows where to get it.

In the event your dealer runs out or is flaky as you say, the internet is your oyster.

http://bcbud.ca/

http://www.budbuddy.biz/

http://momcanada.ca/

http://maryjanemail.biz/

http://www.mmjtotalhealthcare.ca/cataloge-list

And that's just a few of them.

Then there's the ethical side would you rather save money but give it to a potentially violent gang?

You know tax is inevitable. So what would you rather? No tax revenue?

Evidence shows a large percentage of people are currently buying illegal cigarettes. So why would people who have a trustworthy source bother paying more at the LCBO? Because they'll be paying more in tax?

 

[GameBoy27]

It's a weed. Why not let everybody grow it and sell it. Why do you have to turn it into a bureaucratic mess all the time ?

Trudeau apparently wants to adopt the Colorado model. If that's the case then there's going to be a lot of people growing it themselves or will know someone who does. Hell, I'd even drop some seeds in the ground.

Adults Only

You must be 21 years of age or older to legally possess or grow marijuana for recreational use in Colorado. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-18-406.) Assuming you are of age, you can drop those seeds in the planters provided you also abide by the rules below.

Plant Limit

You may grow no more than six plants and no more than three of those can be mature plants. (Colo. Const. amend. 64.) A mature plant is defined as a flowering plant. Colorado law also requires that the plants be grown in an enclosed, locked space that is not “open” or “public.”

Drug Limit

You can legally possess no more than one ounce of marijuana. So, if you happen to have a bumper crop, be sure to have no more than one ounce of the drug in your possession at any given time. However, unless you are a licensed retail marijuana establishment, you cannot legally sell the surplus!

Cannot Sell, but Gifting is Legal

Recreational marijuana may be legally sold only by licensed establishments. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-18-406.) Sale by anyone else is a crime and is either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the amount sold. The licensing procedure involves an application, testing, inspections, fees, and many other steps.

The good news is that you can give up to an ounce of your homegrown to a friend who is 21 or older. Many people would prefer an ounce of bud to all those excess zucchinis you try to foist off on them in the summer. Might make a fun stocking stuffer at the holidays (“Santa, what’s that in you corncob pipe?”).

 

[frankcastle]

I was a pot smoker and all those things i cited were from experience.

So yeah i have no problems with paying a convenience fee.

I know of others in similar boats. Moved to new town and being older they cant find it as easily.

 

[frankcastle]

Try and keep in mind that your experience is not everyone else's. Furthermore your view is skewed because the people you associate with are in thst same circle.

 

[frankcastle]

What is the mark up of a weed you could grow yourself?

What is to say that the base price will be equal to street price plus taxes?

What if it were priced to be competitive so that it cut out street dealers?

I mean if i was licenced to grow it as a major crop perhaps i could provide a cheaper product than dudes in grow houses?

Anyways i think there are too many variables that any conclusions right now hinge on assumptions.

 

[frankcastle]

Oh and if i could walk into a store and choose from a body buzz, head buzz, mellow, giggly type high i would be all over that. Choice of many strains would be super appealing.

Most dealers i knew had one or two choices tops at any given time.

 

[GameBoy27]

I was a pot smoker and all those things i cited were from experience.

So yeah i have no problems with paying a convenience fee.

I know of others in similar boats. Moved to new town and being older they cant find it as easily.

Try and keep in mind that your experience is not everyone else's. Furthermore your view is skewed because the people you associate with are in thst same circle.

Anyone with a credit card and internet access can have weed shipped to their door in a matter of days. It's no longer hard to access, even for older people who move to new towns.

 

[frankcastle]

Anyone with a credit card and internet access can have weed shipped to their door in a matter of days. It's no longer hard to access, even for older people who move to new towns.

Wow you just blew my mind. How is that legal? Do i really want my name and cc attached to this kind of purchase? Do i have to sign for it?

 

[GameBoy27]

Wow you just blew my mind. How is that legal? Do i really want my name and cc attached to this kind of purchase? Do i have to sign for it?

Pretty crazy eh! I wasn't kidding when I said it's easy to get. There's a few different payment options but the most common is INTERAC eTransfer.

From BCBud.ca: Discreet and convenient email-based bank to bank electronic money transfer system. No account details are given and just an email and a Canadian bank account are required. Both parties specify their emails to use and set a password for extra security.

All our packages come with the ‘on-time delivery guarantee’ and ‘continuous package tracking’ of Canada Post’s Xpresspost service. As long as you don’t put the wrong address your package is guaranteed by Canada Post to arrive within one to two business days, with the exception of shipments to Newfoundland, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories.

I have a friend who buys from a different company. He's not comfortable with eTransfer or CC so he mails them cash. His package always arrives.

Is it legal? I can't see how, but I guess it's not high on the radar so LE looks the other way.

 

[Butler1000]

Anyone with a credit card and internet access can have weed shipped to their door in a matter of days. It's no longer hard to access, even for older people who move to new towns.

A matter of DAYS?

Most will like the fact they can drive to the LCBO now.

I get where the you are going. But you forget the inherent laziness of people. And probably a bit more for the average smoker. They won't grow it themselves anymore than the average drinker brews his own.

Soon the stories will begin exholing the virtues of commercial grown pot vs bad old illegal pot. Medical stories, crime stories etc. There will be slick beer commercial style marketing campaigns. And there will be a crackdown on the illegal growers.

Many of the large illegal growers will go legit if they are able to. So you will find illegal supplies dwindling. Remember it's easy to find because we are a major producer. So if they choose to go legit (and many will) then the LCBO becomes the pipeline.

The only place you will be able to get it in the long run will be either the California model as you mentioned for home growers, The LCBO, and the Native reserves.

That's my prediction for about 5-10 years after this is done.

 

[Perry Mason]

Most will like the fact they can drive to the LCBO now.

Yeah... but the problem is that by the time I get into my car and drive there, I will have forgotten where I am going and why.

Perry