Canada鈥檚 most populous province says it will sell recreational cannabis through an online retail channel when it is legalized this fall, with plans to have pot in private retail stores early next year.

Online sales in Ontario will be operated by a government agency called the Ontario Cannabis Store.

The province says a 鈥渢ightly regulated鈥� private retail model will start operation by April 1, 2019.

The Tory government is reversing course on their Liberal predecessors鈥� plan to have legalized cannabis distributed through publicly owned and operated stores.

Finance Minister Vic Fedeli and Attorney General Caroline Mulroney, who made the announcement today, say municipalities can opt out of hosting any pot shops within their boundaries.

The legal age to buy recreational cannabis will remain 19 and consumers will only be allowed to use legalized pot in a private residence, including the outdoor space of the home.

Mulroney said the government鈥檚 key objective with the new retail model was public safety.

鈥淲e will be ready to put in place a safe, legal system for cannabis retail that will protect consumers,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e will also be ready to undermine the illegal market and protect Ontario鈥檚 roads. Most importantly of all, we will be ready to protect our kids.鈥�

Fedeli said private retailers will have to follow a series of rules including prohibiting the sale of marijuana to anyone under the age of 19. Anyone caught violating the rules will face 鈥渟everely escalating fines,鈥� he said.

鈥淭he government of Ontario will not be in the business of running physical cannabis stores,鈥� he said. 鈥淚nstead, we will work with private sector businesses to build a safe, reliable retail system that will divert sales away from the illegal market.鈥�

Fedeli added that the online retail channel will have a 鈥渞obust verification system鈥� and will ensure safe home delivery for cannabis products.

The province says it will learn from the private models being implemented in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

The previous Liberal government had planned to give the Liquor Control Board of Ontario a monopoly on the sale of recreational cannabis.

The Canadian Press

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