Changes Coming To Ontario Cannabis Stores

Changes are coming to Ontario’s emerging retail cannabis industry. The Ford government is reportedly loosening cannabis store restrictions that have historically forced brick-and-mortar retailers to cover their shop windows.

“As part of its 2025 budget, the province announced it is planning to amend those rules to allow cannabis stores to operate with transparent windows, like any other high street shop.” reported Global News in its local coverage. “The move is one the industry has lobbied for and welcomed after it was announced in the budget.”

“To increase the comfort, security and safety of both customers and employees of licensed cannabis retail stores, changes are being made to allow stores to improve their outside visibility,” stated the government, according to Global News‘ reporting. “These changes are intended to support legitimate local businesses by enhancing transparency and fostering a more welcoming environment for consumers, while still protecting youth from exposure to cannabis.”

Requiring non-transparent windows negatively impacts cannabis retailers in various ways. Foot traffic in the area doesn’t result in potential customers coming in to make purchases like it typically does for stores in other industries that have transparent windows. After all, ‘window appeal’ is predicated on customers being able to see through windows.

As touched on in Global News‘ coverage, not being able to see through windows creates safety issues for cannabis retail staff and the store’s customers. Obviously, people with nefarious intent can still cause public safety issues even if windows are transparent. However, it helps mitigate potential issues to some degree to have better visibility and see if trouble is heading in the direction of the store.

Ontario will not be the first Canadian jurisdiction to make the regulatory retail change. Both Alberta and British Columbia have already permitted cannabis retailers to remove coverings from store windows. In addition to changes to store window regulations, Ontario is expected to place a special logo on domestic cannabis products to make consumers aware that the products were ‘made in Ontario.’