Cannabis Sales at Events, ABLE BC & Victoria, , Advocacy Updates and More ! ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
|
Cannabis Industry Update: June 11 , 2025 |
|
|
Dear ABLE BC cannabis members and industry colleagues,
Here's the latest news for the private cannabis industry: - ABLE BC Cannabis Retail Advocacy & Ministry of Public Safety
- Advocacy Update – Cannabis Sales at Events in BC: ABLE BC & LCRB
- BC Ministry of Labour Seeks ABLE BC's Industries Feedback on Bill 11
- ABLE BC in Victoria!
- Burnaby Approves Private Cannabis Stores
- Member Spotlight: Mission Cannabis
- Exclusive Insurance Benefits for ABLE BC Cannabis Members!
- Ask an Expert: Super HR - How to Manage Sick Leave in Your Business
- Out and About with ABLE BC
- Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
|
|
|
ABLE BC Cannabis Retail Advocacy & Ministry of Public Safety |
Back: Bo Chen (ABLE BC - IED); Yvan Charette (ABLE BC President); PSSG Garry Begg; Mike McKee (Muse Cannabis) Front: Keith Barbon (Flight Cannabis); Feven Berhane (KushKlub); Sheila Rivers (CoastRange Cannabis) |
A few weeks ago, ABLE BC's Board of Directors and Cannabis Committee visited BC's Legislative Assembly in Victoria to meet with BC's Minister of Public Safety & Solicitor General, Honourable Garry Begg, followed by a series of meetings with other government stakeholders and staff. During the meetings, ABLE BC's Cannabis Committee a dvocated on behalf of BC's private cannabis retailers and continued to commit to industry's priorities as it pertains to the Ministry's mandate and also focused on the retail sector's pressing needs. Members reiterated the sector's focal point on financial stability & viability to compete against illicit supply through market controls (i.e., implementing a provincial rule that regulates store to store separation distance) and other efforts to modernize current limitations (i.e., allowing stores to use credit card payments for wholesale orders as a net benefit to both retailers and producers). " It was a productive series of meetings in Victoria and I'm encouraged to see government partners actively listen and take in our perspectives as private retailers. Our strategic planning, messaging, and united approach has been key in being effective". - Feven Berhane, KushKlub & ABLE BC Cannabis Chair ABLE BC will continue to advocate for BC's private cannabis retailers and also collaborate together with regulatory stakeholders to progress towards a modern yet responsible cannabis landscape for the province. |
|
|
People
Working Well The Canadian Mental Health Association has created a resource hub for employers and employees dealing with mental health challenges at work. |
| Cannabis Industry Update Newsletter Sign up for our Cannabis Industry Update Newsletter to learn more about our advocacy for liquor businesses. Click here to read past liquor newsletters. |
| ABLE BC Member Portal The Member Portal is your hub for all resources and benefits available to ABLE BC members. Contact jesse@ablebc.ca if you need help logging in. |
|
|
Advocacy Update – Cannabis Sales at Events in BC: ABLE BC & LCRB |
ABLE BC's SPARK: Liquor & Cannabis Conference - March 2025 |
Thanks to the support of ABLE BC Cannabis Membership (over 100 stores now in BC), we are proud to update that our on-going advocacy work is progressing with the provincial government and that engagements regarding cannabis sales at events in BC are officially underway!
Earlier last week, ABLE BC Cannabis Chair Committee & KushKlub Co-founder, Feven Berhane and Bo Chen met with the LCRB to navigate the potential policy frameworks that shapes this direction to propel BC's cannabis industry towards the future. Together, ABLE BC shared perspectives on the key harmonious dynamics between private retailers and producers in BC as well as elements that ensure a successful roll-out of this type of program for stores, producers, professional event organizers, and municipalities.
" While engagements with our government partners on this particular topic are in the early stages, we commend the LCRB on their considerate and forward thinking efforts to continue to help the vibrancy of BC's private cannabis landscape. ABLE BC's Cannabis Committee & Leadership Team strongly believe that it is essential our industry establishes itself into the mainstream like many other sectors and this is certainly one of many foundational paths to do so." - Bo Chen, ABLE BC IED
We are encouraged to see BC's Ministry of Public Safety and its' responsible government branches active in working together with industry and also motivated to see BC's cannabis sector have a united approach on the advocacy front. ABLE BC will continue to collaboratively work with the LCRB on this initiative and provide updates as we move forward. Please contact bo@ablebc.ca if you have questions. |
|
|
BC Ministry of Labour seeks ABLE BC's Industry Feedback on Bill 11 |
The Ministry of Labour is seeking input from ABLE BC Membership, partners, and industry stakeholders to inform the development of regulations pertaining to the Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2025 (Bill 11) introduced by the BC Government in April 2025.
If passed and brought into force, Bill 11 will restrict employers from requiring employees to provide a sick note from a physician, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse for a short-term absence from work.
While Bill 11 provides the basis for restricting employers’ ability to request sick notes, some details of the restriction will be set out in regulations to be developed before Fall 2025.
The rationale in restricting this practice is to alleviate some strain on the healthcare system by reducing the administrative burden on certain healthcare professionals, thereby providing them with more time to care for patients who need medical care.
Click here to read ABLE BC's previous update on this topic;
Click here to read the news release announcing this change;
Click here to read Bill 11
If you wish to provide your input, please email Bo (bo@ablebc.ca ) to receive access to the survey.
The survey closes on June 16, 2025. |
ABLE BC, Cannabis Members, Industry Partners at BC's Legislative Assembly in Victoria |
After a long day of successful government affairs work, the ABLE BC Team celebrated by hosting a fun evening at one of our local member's venues in downtown Victoria - Irish Times Pub !
As members and partners gathered from the region to share a meal, a few drinks, and some laughter amongst industry colleagues, we remained focused on sharing our insight on ABLE BC's progressing advocacy work and taking in the perspectives and unique business challenges of industry stakeholders. |
A huge THANK YOU to our friends and sponsors for supporting this event and our non-profit advocacy work for ABLE BC's Membership: |
Burnaby's Approves Private Cannabis Stores In late May, Burnaby's Council proceeded to approve two private cannabis stores within the community. This marks as the first couple of privately owned cannabis retail in the municipality, which is remarkable since the city has predominantly been the home of three government operated BC Cannabis Stores for the past few years. The two Seed & Stone locations (180-4112 Lougheed Highway and 5906 Kingsway) were given the go ahead in the council meeting, while other applications were not recommended by city staff due to the proximity of the proposed locations in relation to other cannabis stores in neighbouring municipalities. Last summer, ABLE BC provided recommendations to the City of Burnaby when bylaws on cannabis retail were being developed. Those recommendations emphasized the importance of ensuring private cannabis retailers are given opportunity to operate within Burnaby as well as emulating a 1KM store to store distance separation criteria to mitigate market oversaturation (similar to BC's liquor retail and the same work ABLE BC is advocating for private cannabis retailers on with our provincial government partners). We commend the City of Burnaby on their fair and responsible approach to opening up their community for private cannabis retailers and look forward to future work for our private sector. |
Member Spotlight: Mission Cannabis |
In this edition of ABLE BC Cannabis Member Spotlight, we are proud to feature a local family business in the Fraser Valley, Mission Cannabis! Mission Cannabis is your ultimate cannabis destination in the Fraser Valley. We are the only store that lets you explore any 3.5 grams of bud flower before making your purchase. With a range of over 70 cannabis flower options, you can feel, smell, and assess before deciding what suits you best.
|
Our products are thoughtfully displayed, offering you a streamlined shopping experience. Our dedicated team is here to provide you with helpful insights and assist in finding the perfect products to meet your preferences.
We prioritize quality and affordability, ensuring competitive pricing that caters to every budget. Enjoy the effortless selection process at Mission Cannabis by browsing our entire menu via our in-store tablets. You can also take a look at our TV menus showcasing our top sellers in the store!
Our infused beverages are kept chilled at the perfect temperature for your enjoyment. We are careful to keep our concentrates in a separate fridge to ensure no loss of quality or potency. At Mission Cannabis, we are committed to offering a seamless and satisfying cannabis experience. Check out Mission Cannabis locations at: - Tunbridge - Unit 101 – 8778 Cedar Street
- And Lougheed - Unit 111 – 32423 Lougheed Highway
|
|
|
Exclusive Insurance Benefits for ABLE BC Cannabis Members |
Through ABLE BC's partnership with Western Financial Group , ABLE BC Cannabis Members now have access to exclusive offers on commercial insurance and employee benefits tailored specifically for the cannabis retail industry.
Here’s what’s available to you: - Immediate Savings: Save on apples-to-apples coverage for qualified businesses.
- Stabilized Annual Rates: Our in-house programs and insurance marketplace provide long-term rate stability.
- Risk Management Support: We help you identify and mitigate future risks to keep your business protected.
- 24/7 In-House Claims Service: Rely on around-the-clock support when you need it most.
- Industry Expertise: Work with insurance professionals who understand the unique needs of the cannabis industry.
Curious about insurance coverage for your cannabis business? Contact bo@ablebc.ca or CLICK HERE |
|
|
Ask an Expert: Super HR - How to Manage Sick Leave in Your Business
As of May 12, 2025, BC passed Bill 11—the Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2025. In short, you can no longer require a doctor’s note for short-term health-related absences. The government will clarify what counts as “short-term” before flu season, but for now, doctor’s notes can only be requested if an absence is longer than two consecutive days.
This change is designed to reduce administrative headaches and ease the burden on healthcare providers. It can also help build trust and show your team you value their well-being. On the flip side, we know that some employees may see this as an opportunity to stretch the rules, which could impact productivity or team morale if not managed carefully.
Here’s what you can do to find the right balance:
- Refresh your sick leave policy: Make expectations clear, including what types of proof are acceptable for short absences (like pharmacy receipts or notes from nurses).
- Foster open communication: Encourage employees to be honest about absences, and make it easy for them to check in if they need support.
- Monitor trends: Keep an eye on absence patterns so you can spot potential issues early and address them proactively.
If you’d like to talk through how to update your policies, or want practical tips on maintaining accountability while supporting your team, just contact Pierre (pierre@superhrcanada.com ) at SuperHR. Let’s make sure your business is protected, compliant, and set up for a healthy, productive year. |
Out and About with ABLE BC With the weather warming up and the temptation to relax on patios & beaches around the corner, the ABLE BC Team continues to dedicate efforts to advocate for the private cannabis industry in BC and connect the dots between industry and our government partners. |
- Left: ABLE BC Cannabis Committee & Leadership at BC's Legislative Assembly in Victoria
- Top Right: Bo visiting Kyp Rowe, VP at Victoria Cannabis Company , Victoria's first PRS License!
- Bottom Right: ABLE BC's Bo Chen providing industry updates & insight at the Irish Times Pub in Victoria
|
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars Check out these upcoming events: |
Help Our Cannabis Advocacy! Join ABLE BC! Do you own a cannabis retail store? Sign up now for an ABLE BC Cannabis Membership to support the work we do on your behalf. As ABLE BC works to support BC’s cannabis retailers, we meet regularly with various officials at the LDB, LCRB, and with elected officials in the federal, provincial, and municipal government. With your support, we are making meaningful headway amending regulations and policies that support industry growth. ABLE BC Cannabis Members have access to several benefit programs that offer exclusive discounts and are designed to help your business thrive. In addition to our benefit programs, we offer expert advice , regular webinars, and many networking opportunities . |
|
|
|
