Cannabis Industry Update: August 2, 2023

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

Here’s what you’ll find in today’s update:

  • Notes from Nick

  • Advocacy Update

  • Industry Update

  • Member Spotlight: Headset

  • Out and About with ABLE

  • Securing Small Business Rebate Program

Find all past updates here.

Notes from Nick

 In the last two weeks, I’ve met with senior people at the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB), and a variety of cannabis retailers to discuss the best ways to support British Columbia’s cannabis industry. In each of these discussions, there has been clear understanding that legally licensed retailers are having a hard time. While we have much work to do, it is also clear that government is working to improve regulations and remove unnecessary roadblocks to your success.

Of course, everyone will have their own opinion on what government’s top priority ought to be. Because there is no single “magic bullet” solution, our collective success depends on consistent, incremental changes to a range of policies and regulations. ABLE’s goal is to ensure that every change moves us in the right direction. ABLE is working hard on behalf of our members to encourage our government partners to make changes happen as quickly as possible.

If you have suggestions for how to improve BC’s cannabis retail industry, please feel free to drop me a line at nick@ablebc.ca. 

Advocacy Update

 Last week, Nick, Steve Dowsley (Chair of our Cannabis Committee), and Jeff Guignard (ABLE BC’s Executive Director) met with the senior policy team at the LCRB. They raised numerous potential policy improvements, including reviewing the eight store cap, implementing a distance rule between licensed retailers (similar to the 1km distance rule in liquor retail), strategies to tackle the illicit market, enhancing “cannabis tourism,” and working with local government’s on licensing issues. On your behalf, Steve provided insightful feedback on the range of opinions held by retailers to these proposed changes—depending on their store count, location, and future business plans.

Nick and Jeff also met with the LDB, which is currently reviewing several aspects of the Direct Delivery Program. On your behalf, we raised several issues—such as reducing markup rates and updating the eligibility criteria—and emphasized the need to see improvements urgently. We will report back on any changes to the program as soon as they are available.

Industry Update 

There are encouraging signs that the days of “cannabis deserts” in BC may be coming to an end. Recently, Whistler granted permission for four stores and Pitt Meadows moved one step closer to allowing its first store. Perhaps more significantly, Surrey, BC’s second largest city, is preparing a proposed framework for accepting applications for cannabis retail stores.  

These steps forward suggest that previously hesitant municipalities are increasingly aware of the social and economic benefits of legal cannabis. ABLE encourages all municipalities to permit cannabis stores and stands ready to support them with policy recommendations. Denying access to legally licensed cannabis retailers simply encourages criminal enterprises to continue selling untested, unsafe, and unregulated cannabis to British Columbians.

Member Spotlight

 ABLE is delighted to welcome Headset as a new Associate Member!  Headset is a pioneer in cannabis data analytics. Originally launched as Leafly over a decade ago, Headset offers actionable insights to over 3500 retailers, helping them navigate the ever-evolving cannabis industry.

We have negotiated preferred pricing for our members who will receive a 15% reduction from Headset’s standard rates.

Out and About with ABLE BC

Nick recently met with Tyler Atkins to discuss his exciting plans for the inaugural North Shore Cannabis Expo. This is being held on Saturday 26th August at the North Vancouver Shipyards’ Pipe Shop. Tyler is a passionate advocate for the cannabis industry seeking to drive positive change by reducing the social stigma around cannabis. With over 20 brands taking part the aim of the North Shore Cannabis Expo is to build connections between producers, sales staff, and consumer.

For more details about the Expo head to their Instagram page @nvancannaexpo

Ann Brydle