Uber Eats and Leafly partner to bring cannabis delivery to Torontonians

Rhea-AI Summary

Uber Eats and Leafly have launched a partnership to offer legal cannabis delivery in Toronto, starting October 17, 2022. This marks the first major third-party delivery platform to facilitate cannabis orders, allowing residents aged 19 and older to order from local licensed retailers via the Uber Eats app. Delivery will be handled by CannSell certified staff, ensuring compliance with local regulations. This initiative aims to combat the illegal cannabis market, which constitutes over 50% of sales in Ontario, and to enhance road safety by reducing impaired driving.

Positive

• First cannabis delivery partnership on a major third-party platform.
• Enhances access to legal cannabis for Torontonians aged 19+.
• Partnership aims to combat illegal cannabis market, which holds over 50% of Ontario's sales.
• Supports local licensed retailers, potentially boosting their business.
• Expected to improve road safety by reducing impaired driving incidents related to cannabis.

Negative

• None.

TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting tomorrow, Monday, October 17, Torontonians can order safe, legal cannabis and get it delivered straight to their homes thanks to a partnership between Uber Eats (NYSE: UBER), a global leader in ecommerce and delivery technology, and Leafly (NASDAQ: LFLY), a leading online cannabis marketplace and information resource. Torontonians 19+ can place orders from local licensed cannabis retailers in the Uber Eats app, and have it delivered to their door by the retailer's CannSell certified staff. This is the first time cannabis delivery will be available on a major third-party delivery platform in the world.

The first cannabis delivery partnership on a major third-party delivery platform in the world.

"We are partnering with industry leaders like Leafly to help retailers offer safe, convenient options for people in Toronto to purchase legal cannabis for delivery to their homes, which will help combat the illegal market and help reduce impaired driving," said Lola Kassim, General Manager of Uber Eats Canada. "Over the last few years, we have invested heavily in our delivery business and selection has expanded tremendously. Uber Eats has grown quickly to become a versatile platform usable by diverse businesses large and small."

"Leafly has been empowering the cannabis marketplace in Canada for more than four years and we support more than 200 cannabis retailers in the GTA. We are thrilled to work with Uber Eats to help licensed retailers bring safe, legal cannabis to people across the city," said Yoko Miyashita, CEO of Leafly.

"Hidden Leaf has been providing safe, legal cannabis to Torontonians at three locations over the last year and a half," said Marissa and Dale Taylor, owners of Hidden Leaf, one of three currently participating retailers in Toronto. "We are a small business and this partnership is a great way for us to expand our reach and grow our business across the city. Just like the in-store experience, our CannSell certified delivery staff understand and comply with local regulations around cannabis transactions, including checking ID."

How it works:

• Head to the Uber Eats app and select the "Cannabis" category or search for one of the licensed cannabis retailers. You will see a warning that you must be of legal age to enter the virtual storefront.
•  After this, you navigate the menu of the retailer to place an order. You must be within the delivery radius of the licensed cannabis retailer in order to be able to place an order.
• Just like ordering takeout or other items using Uber Eats, you will be notified when the licensed retailer accepts the order and the estimated time of delivery.
• In accordance with provincial regulations, the order will only be delivered by the licensed cannabis retailer's own CannSell certified staff. Independent third-party delivery people will not deliver cannabis.
• When the delivery person arrives, your age and sobriety will be verified as required by regulations.

This partnership will help combat the underground illegal market, which still accounts for over 50% of all nonmedical cannabis sales in Ontario. Further, recent research from Public First shows that some cannabis users drive after consumption with 1 in 7 (14%) of cannabis users admitting to having driven a vehicle within 2 hours of consuming cannabis. Delivery options like those available through Uber Eats are expected to help decrease impaired driving and improve safety on the road.

The first three cannabis retailers are:

• Hidden Leaf Cannabis
• Minerva Cannabis
• Shivaa's Rose

About Uber Eats
Uber Eats is an on-demand app and website that helps bring millions of people around the world the things they want, at the tap of a button. We partner with over 825,000 restaurants and merchants in more than 11,000 cities across six continents. From specialty local favorites to national brand names, groceries to household essentials and more, Uber Eats has what you want when you want it.

About Leafly
Leafly helps millions of people learn about cannabis each year. Our powerful tools help shoppers make informed purchasing decisions and empower cannabis businesses to attract and retain loyal customers through technology services. Learn more at Leafly.com or download the Leafly mobile app.

For media inquiries:
Uber
press@uber.com 

Leafly
Josh deBerge
josh.deberge@leafly.com 

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SOURCE Uber

FAQ

What is the partnership between Uber Eats and Leafly about?

The partnership will allow Torontonians to order cannabis for home delivery through the Uber Eats app, starting October 17, 2022.

How does the cannabis delivery service work with Uber Eats?

Users select the 'Cannabis' category on the Uber Eats app, order from licensed retailers, and receive delivery from certified staff.

What are the age restrictions for cannabis delivery in Toronto?

Only individuals aged 19 and older can order cannabis through this service.

Why is this partnership significant for the cannabis market in Ontario?

It is the first major third-party delivery service for cannabis, aiming to reduce the illegal market which accounts for over 50% of sales.

What are the names of the cannabis retailers participating in this delivery service?

The initial retailers include Hidden Leaf Cannabis, Minerva Cannabis, and Shiva's Rose.