Ontarians back government's control on sale of marijuana: Poll

In a poll which was conducted recently, as the Star reported, 51% of the Ontarians, who were surveyed, backed the government's move to sell cannabis only in government outlets and website.

Around 35% of the people, who were surveyed, opposed the government's decision, leaving 14% who had no opinion.

The online poll, which had a panel of 1,133 Ontario voters, was conducted between last Friday-the day when the government announced its decision-and Monday.

Eli Yufest, CEO of Campaign Research, told the Star: "Media and the punditocracy … are suggesting that it’s inefficient and it’s bureaucratic and the antithesis of what most people wanted when, in actuality, the government is doing exactly what Ontarians want."

"The government appears to be on the right side of the issue," Yufest added.

When the researchers asked the voters about where the recreational marijuana must be sold after it gets legalised in July 2018, a much divided response was found.

Majority of the voters, around 24%, said the cannabis should be sold at Cannabis Control Board of Ontario while 19% favoured dispenseries, 16% pharmacies and 10% LCBO liquor stores.

Out of the rests, 2% and 1% have favoured convenience stores and other shops respectively, leaving 23% who completely wants the sale to stop.

Creating a negative impact on the recreational marijuana market, Ontario has announced on last Friday that government-controlled outlets, website will be the only places permitted to sell cannabis after weed becomes legalised in July 1, media reports said.

Finance Minister Charles Sousa, Health Minister Eric Hoskins, and Attorney General Yasir Naqvi, unveiled the plan on last Friday.

Only 150 LCBO-run outlets will be able to sell marijuana.

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) will get the supply of marijuana from those producers which are legalised by Health Canada.

Apart from restricting the sale of cannabis, certain regulations have also been imposed on the consumption of marijuana by people.

Only 19 years old or above people can consume cannabis while pot smoking has been restricted to home.

Smoking weed will as usual not be allowed in the public spaces.

However, the pot chain will not ncessarily be carrying the name of LCBO.

150 LCBO-run outlets will be opened with 80 by July 1, 2019 and the rest by 2020 across the province.

Online sales will start only after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau legalises weed.

The LCBO will use the working members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union to control the sale of weed in stores and online.

(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh)