Ontario was the first province to announce a detailed plan to sell and distribute recreational marijuana and will set the legal age to buy it at 19.

In a letter that’s gone out today to the province’s municipalities, Finance Minister Charles Sousa says the aim’s to achieve the right geographic distribution across Ontario and to reduce the number of illegal dispensaries that have opened since Ottawa announced it would legalize pot next summer.

The province says none of the retail stores will be near schools.

LCBO and provincial officials will be meeting with those areas that have been identified as potential sites for stores to discuss next steps.

The public will also be able to provide feedback before any decisions are final.

The plan is to set up approximately 150 standalone shops runs by the LCBO by 2020.

The first 40 will open next year and rise to 80 the following year.