How $10K of cannabis was delivered to the wrong Toronto store — and then disappeared

Receiving cannabis shipments has become a routine practice for Taylor Caldwell, the general manager of Kindling Cannabis Leaside. Normally, she gets a call with the approximate time of delivery, signs the paperwork, and adds the products to the store’s inventory. However, a recent delivery on December 28, 2024, turned out to be anything but routine.

Caldwell was expecting a delivery by noon, but it never arrived at her shop near Eglinton Ave E. and Laird Dr. After several unsuccessful attempts to reach the delivery driver, she contacted the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) only to find out that the shipment had been delivered to a neighboring shop and left in her back alley.

Reviewing the security camera footage, Caldwell discovered that an individual had dropped off several boxes in the alley behind her store after closing hours. Moments later, another person was seen stealing the boxes. The OCS compensated Kindling Cannabis Leaside for the lost order, but Caldwell was disappointed by the lack of action from regulatory authorities.

The OCS stated that incidents like these are rare, with 99% of shipments being delivered successfully. Toronto police and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) are currently investigating the matter. According to OCS policies, a licensed retailer is not allowed to sign for a product that isn’t theirs, and there are specific procedures for handling wrong shipments.

The owner of the neighboring cannabis store, the Happy Spliff, did not respond to inquiries. The OCS emphasized that most orders are delivered without issue, attributing occasional errors to human mistakes.

Caldwell expressed frustration over the incident, as it left her shop without sufficient stock for New Year’s Eve, a time of high demand. She called for better enforcement by the AGCO to ensure compliance with regulations and consistency in handling such cases.

Matt Maurer, a cannabis law expert, highlighted the challenges faced by licensed retailers in navigating complex rules and regulations. While the AGCO conducts proactive inspections, enforcement can be complaint-driven and lacks uniformity.

In response, the AGCO stated that the theft from Kindling Leaside is under investigation by a specialized unit. They assured that appropriate action will be taken once the investigation is complete. Caldwell remains concerned about the fate of the stolen cannabis and the potential risks associated with unauthorized access to the products.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of strict adherence to regulations in the cannabis industry and the need for prompt and effective enforcement to maintain the integrity of the supply chain.