‘Kool-Aid Man style’ crash through Ontario dispensary front startles employees
A family-owned cannabis shop in southwestern Ontario had an unfortunate surprise late Thursday morning when a Dodge SUV crashed through the store front.
RC Bud Shop’s Manager Jenn Kane, who was away at the time, received a call from one of her staff notifying her about what had happened.
“We had someone very unexpectedly enter the establishment Kool-Aid Man style,” Kane said. The incident in the town of Harrow was first reported by CBC Windsor.
Local police Constable Steven Duguay says the occurrence was merely the result of an older driver having a mishap at the wheel. “There’s no signs of impairment from the driver,” he added.
No injuries were reported, no charges are being filed and the dispensary is temporarily closed. Kane is aiming to have the location back open this weekend after doing some clean up.
Hey, you can’t park there! 😳
An unfortunate accident at the weed shop in Harrow, Ontario. Luckily no injuries. RC Budshop is temporarily closed. @CBCWindsor @CTVWindsor @AM800CKLW pic.twitter.com/eypPA0deSS
— Tony Smyth (@LateNightCam) April 4, 2024
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Ontario budgets additional C$31 million to crack down on illicit sales
The province’s government recently agreed to spend that supplemental amount over the next three years. It will be put toward cracking down on illegal online stores in particular, which are a key concern for Ontario authorities.
“As the CEO of a cannabis retailer with 58 legal stores and more than 600 employees in Ontario, I welcome the Ford government’s decision to take aggressive action against illegal online cannabis dispensaries,” High Tide Inc. (TSX-V: HITI) chief executive Raj Grover said. He says they blatantly target kids and sell unsafe products.
However, some don’t think the funds are being used appropriately and suggest that there are better alternatives.
“I think that they need to invest in ways to make the cannabis industry more sustainable and more inclusive so that there’s no reason for unregulated suppliers to want to exist,” Calyx + Trichomes Founder Jennawae Cavion told StratCann.
Alongside the 215 legal pot shops in the city of Toronto there are known to be over 50 operating illegally.
Ontario’s cannabis industry has been experiencing challenges in recent days.
Cannabis operators in the province had collective federal excise tax debt of approximately US$100 million at the end of last year. The number of tax-delinquent companies rose from 65 to 80 year-over-year in 2023.
rowan@mugglehead.com
