PICKERING, Ont. -- Ontario's incoming premier says he will be "focusing" on selling pot in government-run stores, as the outgoing Liberals had planned, but will only make a decision after consulting with municipalities, stakeholders and his caucus.

The outgoing Liberals had planned to roll out 150 standalone pot stores run by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario by the end of 2020.

When asked about his plan for pot sales, Doug Ford said he's focusing on the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, which he said already has infrastructure in place that would allow it to sell marijuana once it becomes legal this fall.

The Progressive Conservatives say when the premier-designate talks about focusing on the LCBO, he's referring to Ontario Cannabis Stores run by the LCBO, as the outgoing Liberal government planned.

The federal government announced this week Canadians will be able to legally purchase recreational marijuana starting Oct. 17.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said legalization was pushed back at the request of several provinces who sought more time to make the transition.

Ford, who was elected this month, had previously suggested he would be open to greater privatization of marijuana sales.