Cannabis Health Insider

The regulator of Ontario is credited by cannabis store contractors, regarding its prompt transition to a virtual examination government, in the middle of the global pandemic. Cannabis store contractors have said that the aim has been essential in raising the number of licensed stores in Ontario which is facing a grave retail shortage.

Hundreds of virtual investigations were conducted by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The inspections were virtual due to the statewide lockdown, two months ago, which came at a crucial time for the cannabis business.

Furthermore, Ontario received numerous store applications after the process was presented for all comers, earlier this year. While currently Ontario is held on a few dozen stores, it is aiming to increase the number.

Traditionally, the licensing process of a store holds the inclusion of several in-person meetings and investigations. While despite the implementation of the emergency order, Ontario didn’t hold back any store openings. Hence, the AGCO moved towards Apple’s FaceTime app to manage inspections.

The AGCO spokesman, Raymond Kahnert stated that they started the virtual-inspection process within seven days after the declaration of the emergency order in Ontario.

A statement was reported by the spokesman for The Hunny Pot cannabis store in Toronto, Cameron Brown, which explained how the industry would be closed down if it weren’t for these virtual investigations.

Brown further explained how promptly the government managed to make the transition. He added that this was a prominent switchover with the use of technology. He continued that this is beneficial for the increase in licensed stores in the province, and how its absence could set us behind by a few months.

Vice president of strategic partnerships in the British Columbia office of Cova, Anne Forkutza, stated that virtual inspections are conducted over FaceTime for clients of the cannabis retail software provider.

She explained that AGCO acknowledges the bearing of several retailers sitting on rent payments with stores ready to open. She added that the retailers have shown variation in allowing investigations and practicing social distancing simultaneously.

210 preinspection actions have been conducted by the AGCO virtually, as of May 14. Educational sessions were included along with reauthorization investigations. Moreover, there were further 17 reopening investigations conducted virtually.

The 2 essential steps to the process –

• Submission of an appeal for or acquirement of Retail Operator License (ROL)
• Submission of an appeal for a Retail Store Authorization (RSA) with an intended area, by the ROL applicant/licensee.

The virtual process –

• An informative session between the applicant and an AGCO compliance official.
• After the completion of the store and a public-notice period with no complaints, the AGCO will start final investigations; a pre-authorization investigation, and a preopening investigation.

AGCO’s Kahnert stated that safety is a priority for their employees and stakeholders. This leads to them relying on virtual technology for safe interactions.

The initial virtual investigation proved to be interesting and challenging according to Chris Jones, president of the Star Buds retail chain in Ontario. However, initially, the potential standstill of the licensing process due to the pandemic concerned Jones.

He explained how the first investigation held ambiguity due to uncertain expectations led by the physical absence of the compliance officer. He added that it eventually became easier significantly due to fully informed expectations and the level of aspects that were essential during a virtual investigation.

An incredibly supportive experience was reported by Helen Vassos, owner of Canvas Cannabis stores.  The inspection on FaceTime lasted for 45 minutes.

She explained how vigilant regulators and entrepreneurs have to be for the sustenance of progress in recent months. She continued to explain the importance of the inspection for the operation of the license.

Vassos said that prompt adaption is needed for retailers now.