Many Hamilton pot shops are still in business, taking advantage of OCS delays

Some Ontario Cannabis Store customers are still waiting for delivery of orders placed on the first day of legalization last week. The government says the 150 000 orders made last Wednesday are still being filled and that the enthusiastic demand was unexpected.

Ontario received more orders for cannabis online in the first 24 hours then all other provinces combined.

The OCS website advises customers they may have to wait several days for delivery, especially with rotating strikes by Canada Post workers.

Some of the illegal cannabis suppliers in Hamilton have closed up shop, but about half of them are still thriving with a constant stream of customers in and out their doors.

“People go to the underground market. This is why we need to roll out licensed retails stores across the province so we can combat the illegal market cause it’s not happening now.” Mike Schreiner, Green Party leader.

Finance minister, Vic Fedeli says the demand for cannabis was unexpected.

“All of the cannabis stores assumptions were made based on illegal sellers and guess what, the criminals lied to us. They didn’t properly report their sales.”

The OPSEU union says the government could still solve the problem quickly by allowing the LCBO to sell cannabis.

“The basic control and education for workers is already there, all you have to do is retrofit the stores and figure out how to manage the cannabis. They are the best fit for this.” Lucy Morton, OPSEU.

The government says they will continue to use Canada Post during the rotating strikes. They will move to plan B if there is a general strike, but won’t explain what exactly plan B is.