The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, Jan. 4, edition that Ontario's retail cannabis system is set to change dramatically in 2020, with the government scrapping its controversial lottery system to award store licences. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that the government had frequently stated an interest in opening up the province's retail market since cannabis became legal in October, 2018. However, a supply shortfall and the lottery system kept the government well shy of its stated goal of having as many as 1,000 cannabis retailers throughout the province. The first lottery saw just 25 licences issued provincewide, with a further 50 awarded in a second round. Critics have described the system as excessively slow, arguing the lack of private retail options has prevented the province from making inroads on the illegal weed market.