Opening a cannabis store in Ontario just got more expensive.

As we reported last year, the Ontario government decided to issue just 25 licenses for private cannabis retailers in what it called a ​‘phased approach’. Prospective business owners had to pony up a minimum of $10,000 in fees.

Now, the Canadian Press reports that eleven of the initial twenty-five retailers have been fined $12,500 each for not being open by April 15.

And that’s not all: If the stores aren’t open by the end of this month, they stand to face further penalities. 

At present, cannabis can be purchased in Ontario at 13 brick-and-mortar stores, or online.