Legal updates, regulatory guidance and practical perspectives for businesses operating in complex industries.
What To Do if AGCO Gives You a Notice of Violation for Underage Sale to Someone Under 19 Years of Age What Constitutes an “Underage Sale”? In Ontario, an “underage sale” occurs when a licensed establishment or its employee sells or provides alcohol or cannabis to an individual who is not of legal age. For…
AGCO Cannabis Licence Suspensions and Revocations What’s the Difference Between Suspension and Revocation? When the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) takes action against a cannabis licence, it can either suspend it or revoke it. It’s important to know the difference because the impact on your business is significant. A suspension means your licence is temporarily…
Guide to Canada’s Federal Cannabis Laws and Cannabis Regulations The Cannabis Act is Canada’s primary federal law governing the legal production, processing, sale, possession, distribution, promotion, importation, exportation, and research involving cannabis. Since coming into force on October 17, 2018, it has fundamentally transformed Canada’s cannabis industry by replacing criminal prohibition with a comprehensive regulatory…
About AGCO Cannabis Store Conditions Why Conditions Are Placed on Licences The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) places conditions on cannabis retail licences, such as a Retail Operator Licence or Retail Store Authorization, for a few key reasons, all centred around public safety and responsible operation. Think of these conditions as specific rules tailored to…
Guide to Legally Smoking or Cultivating Cannabis in Your Apartment General Permissibility of Cannabis Consumption Whether you can smoke cannabis in your Ontario-based apartment is a common question now that cannabis is legal. Generally speaking, yes, you can smoke or vape cannabis in your own residential unit, and often on balconies or terraces too, whether…
What Can and Can’t Be Done To Legally Promote Cannabis Companies in Canada Navigating the marketing landscape for cannabis in Canada requires a thorough understanding of what is strictly off-limits. The Cannabis Act and its associated regulations place significant restrictions on how licensed producers and retailers can promote their products. These rules are designed to…
Challenging a Notice of Proposal From the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario What Constitutes a Notice of Proposal? A Notice of Proposal (NOP) from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is a formal communication indicating that the Registrar intends to take a specific action regarding your licence. This action could be a…
The B300 Cannabis Duty and Information Return is a mandatory reporting instrument for all federally licensed cannabis cultivators, producers, and packagers operating within Canada. Governed by the Excise Act, 2001, this return serves as the primary mechanism for these licensees to report their cannabis-related activities and remit applicable federal excise duties, along with any relevant…
If you’re a cannabis-smoking or growing condo resident in Ontario, this lawyer’s guide is a must-read.
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Have questions about Substance Law? Here are some of the most common queries to help you get started.
Timelines depend on the licence type, how complete the application is and the regulator’s current processing times. We prepare the application and supporting documents so the review runs smoothly, and we give you a realistic timeline at the start.
It depends on the services you provide. Money services businesses register with FINTRAC, and payment service providers performing retail payment activities register with the Bank of Canada under the RPAA. Some businesses need both; we review your model and tell you which apply.
In many cases, yes. A transfer is approved by the provincial regulator and depends on the licence conditions, the premises and the buyer’s eligibility. We handle the filings and coordinate with the other side of the deal.
It depends on the product, its claims and how it is sold. Some products are regulated as drugs or natural health products by Health Canada. We review the product and the sales model and explain what is permitted.
Yes. We advise clients across Canada on federal and provincial regulatory matters, and we coordinate with local counsel where a provincial rule requires it.
We always strive to offer our clients transparent, flexible and reasonable pricing and payment options. Where the scope of the engagement permits, we try to offer our clients innovative, fixed-fee pricing options instead of traditional hourly rates, and payment through EFT, Wire, E-transfer, and Credit/Debit Card.
Service areas / Jurisdiction
We advise clients across Ontario and throughout Canada on regulatory, licensing and compliance matters in cannabis, psychedelics and other regulated industries.
Cannabis retail, consumption and related licensing
Zoning, land use and local approvals
Compliance and enforcement matters
Health Canada, Canada-wide regulatory matters
CRA, excise, FINTRAC and related requirements
Psychedelics, hemp, wellness and emerging sectors
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Canada's Law Firm For Regulated Substances
