How to Use Uber Eats to Get Weed in Ontario

Starting today, it is officially possible to order weed from Uber Eats.

The popular delivery app is trying something new and adding cannabis to its marketplace, which also makes ordering alcohol and groceries easier. Uber Eats has announced a partnership with Ontario-based cannabis retailer Tokyo Smoke, which is owned by Canopy Growth.

After selecting the pickup option, consumers can search for Cannabis or Tokyo Smoke to find the closest retail location. (Keenan / Leafly)

For Ontario residents, Uber Eats now has a cannabis section that you can order from the closest Tokyo Smoke, which has 56 locations across the province, including 13 in Toronto. The service is click-and-collect, meaning you can order in the app and pick it up at your nearest Tokyo Smoke location.

This is Uber’s first official venture into cannabis, although Uber’s CEO told CNBC that they would consider shipping cannabis in the US as soon as regulations allow. The announcement is not (yet) scheduled for delivery. In Canada we have to adhere to our own regulations, which is why the service is only pick-up.

It looks like only Ontario residents will be able to use the service, at least for now. An Uber spokesman told Reuters that there are currently no updates about the expansion to other provinces or even the United States.

“We will continue to monitor the regulations and opportunities closely, market by market. And as local and state laws evolve, we will explore opportunities with vendors operating in other regions, ”the spokesman said.

Consumers can browse Tokyo Smoke’s menu by product category to optimize in-app orders. (Keenan / Leafly)

In a perfect world, the weed would be delivered straight to our doors and the service would be offered across the country. But legally, that’s just not possible through Uber right now. This could be one of the reasons the illicit market is still thriving even though prices for adult consumption are at all-time lows.

Uber hopes to get a bite out of the illicit market that an Uber spokesperson says Leafly still accounts for 40% of non-medical sales. They also want to reduce the appeal of drinking under the influence, much like the way they deliver alcohol.

“As Canadian cannabis laws evolve to include delivery, options like Uber Eats are expected to help reduce discomfort while driving and improve road safety,” the representative wrote in an email.

In 2020, when Ontario made cannabis an essential item, the province temporarily allowed roadside delivery and collection of cannabis products during COVID-19 lockdowns. A plan was proposed last October to make these changes permanent. The law has yet to be passed.

Ashley Keenan

Ashley Keenan is Leafly’s Canada Editor and a freelance journalist, consultant and patient advocate in the cannabis industry. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @askcannaqueen for hot insights into cannabis and chronic diseases.

View article by Ashley Keenan

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