After being shut out of the provincial lottery in January, Sarnia may still get a legal cannabis store.
The Ontario PC government announced Wednesday morning it's adding 50 new stores this fall, including 11 in the west region which includes Sarnia-Lambton.
The next lottery is being held in August, with 17 municipalities in the running regionally.
Sarnia Mayor and Police Services Board Chair Mike Bradley said council has already endorsed having a shop here.
"The public had indicated an interest that they would like a retail outlet in the area, whether it be Sarnia, Point Edward or St. Clair," said Bradley. "I think this part of the province should be treated just as equally as the other places that already have the existing retail outlets."
Meanwhile, the province is also setting aside eight licences for First Nations communities.
Mayor Bradley said that would be beneficial in shutting down illegal dispensaries on Aamjiwaang.
Interested operators can apply online between August 7 and 9, and the lottery is August 20. Click here to apply.
Windsor and Chatham-Kent were also left out of the first lottery, while London has three legal pot stores.
The only other place to legally purchase recreational marijuana is online through the Ontario Cannabis Store.
The Village of Point Edward decided not to allow marijuana retail stores within its boundaries.
