Cannabis Lottery in Ontario Today

Ontario, Canada's largest province, is getting ready to announce the results of its cannabis lottery, possibly today. Companies, and individuals, seeking to open pot shops had earlier this week to express interest and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will pick the winners at random.

Those selected through the lottery will have five business days to turn in their application along with a $6,000 non-refundable fee and a $50,000 letter of credit. The licences are being divided regionally, with five going to the east of the province, seven in the west, two in the north, six in the Greater Toronto Area and five in Toronto itself. Recreational cannabis can currently only be purchased legally in Ontario through a government-run website, with the first private stores set to open April 1.