Bricks-and-mortar cannabis stores in Canada’s largest recreational cannabis market are still permitted to offer home delivery and curbside pickup during a government stay-at-home order, although their operating hours have been restricted and construction of new stores must be halted.

The stay-at-home order was enacted Thursday in light of rising COVID-9 cases in Ontario, and will last at least 8 days.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) advised cannabis stores about the lockdown in a Thursday blog post.

“Cannabis retail stores are able to continue offering curbside pickup and delivery but must also restrict their operating hours to 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” wrote the regulator.

“Products must be delivered by 8 p.m. ”

Deliveries could previously be offered until p.m., which is when Ontario cannabis retailers must normally close.

The AGCO also advised that:

• Items for curbside pickup may only be sold if the customer ordered the item before arriving at the store.
• Payment for curbside pickups and deliveries may be processed when the order is placed, or when the pickup or delivery is made.

Finally, the AGCO warned that “non-essential construction must cease,” including construction on the premises of cannabis store applicants.

Curbside pickup and delivery are temporary options for private-sector marijuana stores in Ontario, put in place during the pandemic.

Normally, transactions must be completed in store and home delivery is the exclusive domain of the government-operated Ontario Cannabis Store, an online retailer.