We now know what the rules are surrounging cannabis stores.
The Ontario government released regulations late Wednesday that will guide the startup of private cannabis stores on April 1.
The stand-alone stores can be open any day between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m., they must be at least 150 metres away from schools only people 19-years-old and over are permitted inside.
Applications for licences will begin on Dec. 17 and illegal cannabis retailers who were operating after legalization on Oct. 17 will not be eligible to receive cannabis sales licences.
Licences won't be issued to any person or organization who has an association with organized crime, and applicants must demonstrate their tax compliance status to show they are in good standing with the government.
Until April, cannabis can only be legally purchased from the online Ontario Cannabis Store.
Municipalities have until January 22nd to decide if they want to allow cannabis stores within municipal limits.
A public meeting will be held Thursday in Amherstburg for residents to give input on whether or not they'd like to see brick and mortar stores in town.
— with files from The Canadian Press