London could get an official pot shop on Richmond Row

A third prospective cannabis retail store location in London has been revealed this time, within spitting distance of the student nightlife scene on Richmond Row.

Applicant Ranjit Basrais proposing to open a store named J. LondonatSuite 5, 691 Richmond St.

Basrawas one of seven winners of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario's (AGCO) retail lottery for the west region, which stretches from Windsor through London to the Niagara Peninsula.

The application submitted to the AGCO Tuesday is now in a 15-day public notice periodwhenmembers of the public or the municipality can file an objection or a written submission on the proposed location. The public notice period isset to end March 19.

The proposed store is in a former tanning salon and is next door to the erstwhile London Relief Centre, an illegal dispensary that had previously been the target of several drug warrants by London Police and OPP.

As recently as Nov. 29and Dec. 13, 2018, the Provincial Cannabis Enforcement Team executed two warrants at the formerdispensary, according to OPP media relations officer Adam Crewdson.

On Sept. 20, 2017, London Police seized thousands of dollars in drugs and cash from the dispensary, including more than $40,000 in marijuana bud.

In anemailstatement,AGCOspokespersonRaymondKahnertsaid the past history of a proposed location is included as part of an applicant's eligibility review.

As part of theAGCO'sgeneral standards for retail stores, licensees must also obtain criminal background checks from employees as part of the hiringprocess.

Other planned pot shops

Two prior applications for cannabis retail stores in London are still before the AGCO.

The first application wasfiled Feb. 12 for a prospective store called Central Cannabisat Oxford St. and Wonderland Rd. That public notice period has now ended.

The second application looks to open a store under cannabis retail giant Canopy Growth's Tweed brand at1025 Wellington St. S. The public notice period for thatapplication still has two days on the clock and will end March 7.