Substance Law Blog

The Substance Law Blog, published by Substance Law, focuses on regulatory and licensing issues related to controlled substances and related industries in Canada, particularly Ontario. It covers topics such as cannabis retail licensing, alcohol manufacturer representative licensing, and the regulatory framework for cryptocurrency exchanges. The blog also addresses legal considerations for emerging markets like psilocybin mushrooms and practical business guidance, including starting a restaurant in Toronto. It provides information on compliance with provincial and federal laws, licensing requirements, and the roles of regulatory bodies such as the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and FINTRAC.

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Latest from Substance Law Blog

Ontario’s beverage alcohol wholesale system changed significantly in 2026 with the introduction of the LCBO’s more open wholesale listings process.

The changes create a new route for eligible alcohol products to reach Ontario grocery stores, convenience stores, hospitality licensees, LCBO

Understanding Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation

Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation, commonly known as CASL, regulates commercial electronic messages, certain installations of computer programs, alterations of electronic transmission data, electronic address harvesting, and misleading digital representations.

CASL is not limited to fraudulent or high-volume

The Purchase Of Business Process

Defining Your Acquisition Strategy

Before you even start looking at businesses for sale, it’s important to figure out what you’re actually trying to achieve. Are you looking to expand into a new market, acquire a