ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Uber Eats is now delivering cannabis in Toronto through a partnership with cannabis marketplace Leafly. Uber says Torontonians can order “safe, legal cannabis” straight to their homes, placing orders from local licensed cannabis retailers in the Uber Eats app.

The deliveries will be made by the retailer's CannSell certified staff, and independent third-party delivery people are not allowed to deliver cannabis. The staff will check the age and sobriety of the person who placed the order, as required by regulations, according to Uber.

Uber says this is the first time cannabis delivery will be available on a major third-party delivery platform in the world. Dispensaries in Canada already offer their own delivery services under a move by Ontario in 2020 when the government closed cannabis shops. The policy became permanent earlier this year.

“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."

Uber says the partnership will help combat the underground illegal market, which still accounts for over 50% of all nonmedical cannabis sales in Ontario. The ride-sharing company cites research from Public First showing some cannabis users drive after consumption, with 1 in 7 (14%) of cannabis users admitting to having driven a vehicle within two 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,” said Uber in a statement.