People across the province are still digesting the news that Premier Doug Ford and his government will sell cannabis online in Ontario starting in mid-October and it will allow private retailers to establish stores, starting April 1st.   

Reaction, however, is mixed.

For stores like North Bay’s Green Kingdom Hemp, the provincial government’s announcement brings a sigh of relief.

“Obviously, I wish they would have jumped in with some regulations because other provinces are doing it, but this is much better than what was going to be done.” said David Clark of Green Kingdom.

For the labour movement, Nipissing MPP and Finance Minister Vic Fedeli's announcement on the plan for pot sales is sparking a contentious debate.

Labour groups, such as the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, are not happy.  

They thought the sales would be coming through LCBO stores where union members are employed. 

Mike Bisaillon is the regional Vice-President for OPSEU.

“This is being done in a very quick and reckless manner, and I think that it negates the fact that we’re dealing with a controlled substance here. We already have an infrastructure in the LCBO that can deal with this.” said Bisaillon.

The previous Liberal government planned to give the LCBO a monopoly on the sale of pot, opening up as many as 150 stores by 2020.

“People should not be worried about bringing the private enterprise into play. I think it’s the only way to make a smooth transition.” said Clark.

Individual municipalities will be able to opt-out of allowing privatized stores to sell the drug in April, but North Bay Mayor Al McDonald says it’s impossible to make a decision on this until more information is available.

“Unless you have all the facts and all the figures and what they’re trying to propose... So at this point it would be very difficult to say one way or another.” said McDonald.

The legal age to purchase marijuana will still be 19, and those who plan on using the drug will only be able to do so at their home.

The maximum amount an adult can carry will be 30 grams.