Advocacy Win! Cannabis Industry Sampling

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues, 

We are pleased to share good news with our cannabis retail members !

From today federally licensed cannabis producers may promote their cannabis by providing product samples to cannabis store licensees and their staff for a nominal fee.  Cannabis Retail Store licensees and their employees can accept samples from a federal licence holder but are not allowed to supply cannabis samples to other cannabis licensees or the stores’ customers.

There is no maximum amount for cannabis samples but they are expected to be reasonable quantities and should have nominal retail value. A sample shall not be used for any type of inducement. 

Helpful information

  • Providing cannabis samples to patrons (customers) remains prohibited.

  • Cannabis consumption in a cannabis store is prohibited, even when the store is closed. 

  • Cannabis Marketing licensees can only provide samples if they also hold a federal cannabis licence.

Licensee handbooks: 

This change has been published in the following  licensee handbooks effective Monday, September 25, 2023: 

  • Cannabis Retail Store

  • Producer Retail Store

If you have any questions please contact Bo Chen at bo@ablebc.ca or review the LCRB Bulletins webpage or the licensee handbooks.

Email the cannabis policy team at Cannabisregs@gov.bc.ca.

Please read Bulletin 23-08: Cannabis industry sampling for more details. 

Ann Brydle