Best Cannabis Stores Along Highway 400: Drive-By Pickup Options in Ontario

Note: Cannabis is for adults 19+ in Ontario. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for cannabis-related health questions.

Highway 400 is the main artery between the GTA and cottage country, and it's also the route thousands of Ontario drivers use to grab cannabis on weekend trips north. If you're heading toward Barrie, Wasaga, Muskoka, or Georgian Bay, knowing which exits have legal, AGCO-licensed cannabis stores can save you 20+ minutes and a wasted detour.

We've pulled this together from real customer patterns at our Ashario Thornton location, which sits roughly 60 km north of Toronto and 20 km south of Barrie. As of 2026, it's one of the closest licensed retailers to the highway between King Road and Innisfil Beach Road: a 40-kilometre stretch where pickup options are limited.

What Are the Best Cannabis Stores Along Highway 400?

The best cannabis stores along Highway 400 are AGCO-licensed retailers located within 5 minutes of a highway exit, with parking, long daily hours, and reservation systems for drive-by pickup. Ashario Cannabis Thornton (239 Barrie St, exit 75) is the standout option for northbound travellers, open 7 AM to 11 PM daily with online reservations.

Ashario Cannabis Thornton: Exit 75 (Highway 88/Barrie St)

Ashario Cannabis Thornton is located at 239 Barrie St, Thornton, ON L0L 2N0, just 4 minutes east of Highway 400 at exit 75. The store is open 7 AM to 11 PM, 365 days a year, with free parking directly out front. Phone: +1-249-733-9333.

This is the closest licensed retailer to the highway in the entire stretch between King Township and Innisfil. Most customers tell us they shave 15-20 minutes off their drive compared to detouring into Barrie's south end. The store stocks 400+ SKUs across all major cannabis categories: flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, concentrates, and accessories, with same-day pickup available through our online reservation system.

Budtender tip: Friday afternoons between 3 PM and 6 PM are the busiest as cottage traffic peaks. If you want to skip the line, reserve online and walk straight to the pickup counter. Most orders are ready in under 10 minutes.

If you live in or near Newmarket, the better option is often our Aurora location at 15114 Yonge St, about 7 minutes south of Davis Drive on Yonge, with the same 7 AM to 11 PM hours and full menu.

For Barrie-area customers, we recommend checking our Ashario blog for cannabis stop guides and product availability updates, including what's new from Ontario Licensed Producers each month.

Why Is Thornton the Best Drive-By Pickup Stop on Highway 400?

Thornton is the best drive-by pickup stop on Highway 400 because it's the only AGCO-licensed cannabis retailer within 5 minutes of the highway in the 40-km stretch between King Road and south Barrie. Ashario Thornton's 16-hour daily window (7 AM to 11 PM) and online reservation system make it the most efficient option for northbound and southbound drivers.

Here's the geography that makes it work:

• Exit 75 to store: 4 minutes, 3.2 km east on Highway 88 / Barrie Street
• Total detour time: 8-10 minutes round-trip including pickup
• Free parking: Directly in front of the store, no parking meters or garages
• Hours: 7 AM - 11 PM, 365 days a year (including holidays)
• Reservation pickup: Orders typically ready in 10 minutes or less

The town of Thornton sits at roughly the midpoint between Toronto and Barrie, which means it's also the natural break point on long drives. Many customers tell us they combine cannabis pickup with a gas stop or coffee run in the same 10-minute window.

What Cannabis Products Should You Pre-Order Before Hitting Highway 400?

The best products to pre-order for Highway 400 pickup are pre-rolls (no grinding required at the cottage), vape cartridges (discreet and odour-controlled), edibles (10 mg THC max per package in Ontario), and pre-ground flower in 3.5g or 7g formats. These travel well and require no extra accessories.

Browse our full Ontario cannabis menu before you leave home, build your cart, and reserve for pickup. Popular cottage-season categories include:

• Pre-rolls: Singles, 3-packs, 5-packs, and 10-packs from Licensed Producers like Spinach, Good Supply, and Redecan
• Disposable vapes: 1g and 2g formats | typically 80-90% THC, with terpene profiles ranging from gassy OG to fruity tropical
• Edibles: Gummies, chocolates, and beverages | all capped at 10 mg THC per package under the Cannabis Act
• Flower: 3.5g (eighth) and 7g (quarter) jars in indica, sativa, and hybrid options
• Concentrates: Hash, rosin, and resin in 1g formats

If you're new to cannabis or haven't shopped legally in a while, our budtenders at any Ashario location can walk you through current product formats and Ontario regulations.

How Does Ontario Cannabis Retail Law Affect Highway Pickup?

Ontario cannabis retail is regulated by the AGCO under the Cannabis Licence Act. All in-store purchases require government-issued photo ID proving you're 19+. There's a 30g possession limit for dried cannabis (or equivalent) in public, and cannabis must be transported in a sealed, unopened package, not accessible to the driver, under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act.

Key rules every Highway 400 traveller should know, per Health Canada and provincial law:

• You must be 19+ to purchase or possess cannabis in Ontario
• Cannabis must stay sealed and out of the driver's reach during transport
• 30 gram public possession limit (dried equivalent)
• Driving impaired carries criminal penalties: including licence suspension

If you're heading to a cottage in Muskoka or Georgian Bay, remember that local bylaws may restrict where you can consume: many municipalities ban smoking in public parks and on beaches.

What Are the Hours and Contact Details for Ashario Cannabis Thornton?

Ashario Cannabis Thornton is located at 239 Barrie St, Thornton, ON L0L 2N0, and is open 7 AM to 11 PM daily, 365 days a year. Phone +1-249-733-9333 for product questions or pickup status. The store is 4 minutes east of Highway 400 exit 75.

For directions, reservations, or to contact our team, visit our contact page or check the Ashario homepage for current promotions. We also operate three other GTA locations. Finch & Dufferin, Centerpoint Mall, and Aurora: all with the same 7 AM to 11 PM hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the closest cannabis store to Highway 400 in Ontario?

The closest cannabis store to Highway 400 between King Road and south Barrie is Ashario Cannabis Thornton at 239 Barrie St, just 4 minutes east of exit 75 via Highway 88. It's open 7 AM to 11 PM daily with free parking and online reservation pickup. For the 40-km stretch through Innisfil and King Township, no other AGCO-licensed retailer sits closer to a highway exit.

Can I reserve cannabis online for Highway 400 pickup?

Yes. You can reserve cannabis online at ashario.com and pick it up at our Thornton store on your way north or south on Highway 400. Most reservations are ready in under 10 minutes. Bring government-issued photo ID showing you're 19+, and pay in-store with debit, credit, or cash. Online reservations don't require pre-payment, so you can adjust your order when you arrive.

What time do cannabis stores open near Highway 400?

Cannabis store hours along Highway 400 vary widely. Most AGCO-licensed retailers in the corridor open between 9 AM and 10 AM and close between 9 PM and 11 PM. Ashario Cannabis Thornton is one of the few stores open 7 AM to 11 PM, which is the widest window in the region: useful for early-morning cottage drives or late-night returns to the GTA.

Is it legal to transport cannabis on Highway 400?

Yes, it's legal for adults 19+ to transport cannabis on Highway 400 and any Ontario road, provided the cannabis stays in its original sealed packaging and is not accessible to the driver, for example, in the trunk or a locked glove box. The public possession limit is 30 grams of dried cannabis or equivalent. Driving while impaired is a criminal offence with serious penalties.

What's the busiest time for cannabis stores along Highway 400?

Friday afternoons between 3 PM and 6 PM are the busiest time at most Highway 400 cannabis stores, especially during cottage season from May through October. Sunday evenings between 5 PM and 8 PM are also peak as travellers return to the GTA. To skip lines, reserve online before you leave and pick up during off-peak hours: mid-morning weekdays are typically quietest.

Are there cannabis stores between Toronto and Barrie that take walk-ins?

Yes. Ashario Cannabis Thornton and most AGCO-licensed retailers along Highway 400 accept walk-ins during regular hours. Walk-in customers are served alongside reservation pickups, though reservations typically move faster during peak hours. You must be 19+ and present valid government-issued photo ID at the door. Ontario law requires age verification for entry, not just at the checkout.