Cannabis Industry Update: August 17, 2023
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find in today’s update:
Note from Steve Dowsley – Cannabis Committee Chair
Advocacy Update
Industry Update
Member Spotlight: Sunrise Cannabis
Out and About with ABLE BC
Protect your Business from Fraud – 10 Tips from Global Payments
Find all past updates here.
Note from Steve Dowsley – Cannabis Committee Chair
Recently, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) issued a survey on whether to allow “white label” products (where a licensed producer packages some of their product with a retailer’s logo and branding). White label products are already permitted in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.
My view is white labelling is a very positive step for our industry. It gives all retailers and licensed producers the opportunity to collaborate, create product differentiation, brand development, and possibly increase sales margins.
ABLE will continue our discussions with British Columbia’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) about updating and modernising tied house rules to explore white labelling, as well as other possible collaborations between retailers and licensed producers.
Advocacy Update
Last week, we submitted ABLE’s comments to the LCRB’s Engagement Paper on changes to regulations for promoting cannabis consumption.
Many thanks to everyone who completed our Cannabis Promotion and Consumption Space survey. We received feedback from a wide range of stakeholders and these responses enabled us to shape our comments to reflect the entire industry. Unsurprisingly, there is overwhelming support to allow cannabis businesses to promote where cannabis can be consumed. There is also very strong support for allowing cannabis licence holders to operate consumption spaces.
Our Head of Cannabis Membership, Nick Landells, has also been in communication with the senior policy team at the LCRB. He expressed our members’ strong support for permitting product sampling between producers and retailers.
We will continue to advocate on your behalf on these issues and will provide further updates as they are available.
Industry Update
In June 2022, Bill 10 became law, allowing for single-step certification of unions where the union can demonstrate the support of 55 per cent or more of the bargaining unit. This single-step process makes it easier for unions to become certified, and we are now seeing an increase in unionization in liquor stores across BC.
It is likely that cannabis retailers too will soon have to face the prospect of unionization in their stores.
We understand the significant impact this may have on your business and that you may be looking for guidance on how best to talk to your staff about unionizing. We recommend you reach out legal experts Ryan Anderson and Mark Bout from MathewsDinsdale.
Ryan Anderson:
randserson@mathewsdinsdale.com
T 604-638-2042
M 604-780-8764
Mark Bout:
T 604-638-2046
Ryan and Mark presented a webinar for ABLE BC members last year on understanding Bill 10. The recording and presentation slides are available in the video library of the member portal. We encourage ABLE BC members to log in to view the recording today. Not a member? You can join ABLE BC now to gain access to this webinar and more.
Click here for more information on Bill 10 and the union certification process.
One way to avoid your workplace unionizing is to be an excellent employer. Take our Benchmark Survey to assess your employee pay and benefits package against industry standards.
Member Spotlight: Sunrise Cannabis
We are pleased to announce Sunrise Cannabis as a new cannabis member of ABLE BC.
Sunrise is proud to serve their East Vancouver community and of their active contributions to Canada’s legalization movement. Their roots in small batch, craft cannabis has helped build a reputation of trustworthy, knowledgeable, and caring advisors.
Welcome Ehren and the rest of the team at Sunrise!
Out and About with ABLE BC
In case you missed it, ABLE BC has been in the news recently. Our Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, was asked to comment upon proposals in BC to permit product sampling between producers and retailers :
BC gov reviewing cannabis sampling rules for producers, retailers
Protect your Business from Fraud – 10 Tips from Global Payments
Fraud and cybercrime are growing threats to Canadian business owners, accounting for $530 million in losses in 2023.
Here are 10 tips from Global Payments to help protect your business:
Start with the right POS – one with security built in
Restrict user access on POS devices
Don’t leave POS devices unattended
Use strong passwords – and change them often
Don’t skip software updates
Upgrade your POS devices regularly
Use strong card authentication protocols
Stay alert – review your statements frequently
Keep your return policy simple
Educate your team
Contact Global Payments for more tips and tricks to prevent fraud.