Cannabis Industry Update: July 5th, 2023

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

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

  • Introducing ABLE’s Head of Cannabis Membership

  • The launch of the updated ABLE website

  • ABLE’s new cannabis member categories

  • Cannabis Retail Store Benchmark Survey

  • Single Use Plastic Prohibition

  • Useful resources from our partners at Go2HR

Find all past updates here.

Introducing ABLE BC’s Head of Cannabis Membership

We are pleased to announce that ABLE is expanding our advocacy efforts for private cannabis retailers. With our new Head of Cannabis Membership, Nick Landells, cannabis retailer members will now have a dedicated point of contact and new membership categories. 

Nick spent the first 15 years of his career as a liquor licensing and compliance lawyer in the United Kingdom. Since relocating to BC, he has been Manager of Legal Services for A&W Restaurants and the Head of Licensing & Compliance for a local cannabis retail chain. Nick brings a detailed knowledge of hospitality and cannabis licensing and compliance issues to the ABLE team. He has already strong working relationships with cannabis regulators and stakeholders. 

Book a one-on-one with Nick here.

ABLE's New Cannabis Website is Now Live

ABLE is pleased to announce that we have updated our website to include new dedicated resources for our cannabis members.

Our new pages include:

Introducing ABLE BC's New Cannabis Membership Catergories

As part of ABLE’s expanded work, we have created new membership categories specifically for cannabis retailers. Our cannabis retail members will have:

  • Access to a growing number of member benefits tailored specifically for the cannabis industry;

  • Invitation to attend member-only events and exclusive access to webinars and resources;

  • Direct access to our Head of Cannabis Membership; and

  • Input on ABLE’s advocacy and policy priorities.

Visit our site at ablebc.ca and join us today

Cannabis Retail Store Benchmark Survey 2023

ABLE is collecting data to create a snapshot of the private cannabis retail industry. 

Please help us by completing our first-ever benchmark survey for cannabis stores. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Results will remain anonymous and will be shared with members and participants free of charge.

The survey will help participants develop benchmarks for their businesses as well as to help form our advocacy priorities. 

Take Survey Now

Single Use Plastic Prohibition 

As part of a comprehensive plan to address pollution, meet the target of zero plastic waste by 2030, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the federal government has introduced the single-use plastics prohibition regulation.

This is the second wave of the single-use plastic prohibition regulation, coming after the manufacture and import for sale ban of plastic checkout bags in December 2022. 

From December 20, 2023 the sale of single use plastic checkout bags will be prohibited.

Retailers can continue to sell checkout bags made from reusable plastic, paper or fabric.

Useful Resources from Go2HR

With the on-going challenges caused by shortage of skilled employees there has never been a better time to be a great employer.

Our industry partners at go2HR have recently released some very helpful resources to help our members on:

Developing an effective training strategy for seasonal employees;

Getting your business ready for wildfires and other emergencies; and

A webinar focusing on Preparing and Responding to Challenging Guest Interactions

These and other usual resources are available at go2hr.ca

Ann Brydle