Advocacy Win! MAPs Notification, ABLE BC Event in Victoria, Cannabis Townhall and More ! ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
|
Cannabis Industry Update: May 14 , 2025 |
|
|
Dear ABLE BC cannabis members and industry colleagues,
Here's the latest news for the private cannabis industry: Advocacy Win! Minors As Agents Inspection Notifications - May 26: An Evening with ABLE BC in Victoria - You're Invited!
Shaping BC’s Cannabis Policies: ABLE BC's Townhall for Cannabis Retail Members - New ABLE BC Cannabis Retailer Survey Available
- Surrey Approves Private Cannabis Stores
Reminder: Minimum Wage Increase - Member Spotlight: Boss Cannabis
Exclusive Offers & Savings for Cannabis Members: Greenline - A BLAZE Company - Reminder: Health Canada Seeking CBD Feedback on NHP and Pets
- Ask an Expert: Temp Duties, Permanent Protection: Document Short-Term Job Change
- Out and About with ABLE BC
- Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
|
|
|
Advocacy Win! Minors as Agents Inspection Notifications |
Through the collective efforts across multiple industries (liquor, hospitality, and cannabis retail), we are pleased to share that LCRB Inspectors will now automatically email licensees within 14 days after a Minors as Agents Program (MAP) compliance check at their establishment to inform them that they passed. Randy Tingskou (Owner of A Little Bud & advisor within ABLE BC's Cannabis Committee), joined the ABLE BC team's visit to Victoria last year and raised industry's concerns regarding the previous MAP process to the LCRB: " As an owner that sees a high volume of guests and employs a large, but responsible staff - this change provides more certainty to my business operations and performance. My team and I are glad that the aligned feedback from cross-industries have prompted this change from our regulators. This is an incremental and noble victory." |
MAP continues to play an important role in helping the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) monitor the responsible sale of liquor and cannabis at licensed establishments and government-operated stores.
Only licensees who refuse service to a minor agent will receive these notifications as recognition of their diligence to serve responsibly.
Licensees who sell liquor or cannabis to a minor agent will be contacted by their LCRB inspector.
Please note that the email notification will not include specific details such as the date and time of the inspection or any information about the LCRB staff involved. This is to help maintain the integrity and credibility of the program.
As you know, checking identification (ID) is fundamental to responsible service and preventing liquor or cannabis sales to minors. This practice helps protect your establishment from potential penalties or enforcement action. We encourage you to have clear house policies for checking ID. For example, some businesses check the ID of every customer, while others check only those who appear under 30 years old. Learn more about preventing contraventions .
Find the Check ID decal and signs for:
If you have any questions about this program, contact LCRB.CandE.Admin@gov.bc.ca |
May 26: An Evening with ABLE BC in Victoria - You're Invited! |
SAVE THE DATE! ABLE BC is visiting Victoria on May 26. ABLE BC's Board of Directors and Leaders will start the day by meeting with BC's Minister of Public Safety & Solicitor General Garry Begg, followed by a series of meetings with other government officials and staff. ABLE BC is also hosting an industry event later in the day, inviting leaders and valued members in the region coming from the private liquor, cannabis, and hospitality sectors. Join ABLE BC for an evening of networking, advocacy discussions, and a bit of fun with like-minded entrepreneurs. This is an excellent opportunity to share perspectives and find collaboration with other industry professionals. ABLE BC President Yvan Charette, Cannabis Chair Feven Berhane, along with other advisors and industry partners are thrilled to be visiting Victoria to meet with other industry leaders. Thank you to our advocacy sponsors, Community Savings Credit Union and Western Financial Group for supporting this event! See Event Details Below & Make sure to RSVP! |
INTERESTED IN SPONSORING OUR CANNABIS ADVOCACY WORK? CONTACT: bo@ablebc.ca |
|
|
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. |
|
|
Shaping BC’s Cannabis Policies: ABLE BC's Townhall for Cannabis Retail Members |
Even though ABLE BC is about to enter its' 50th year as an industry advocacy association - earlier this week, we hosted our first series of virtual member townhalls for cannabis retailers! During the townhalls, members discussed the impact of policy nuances and shared perspectives on BC's cannabis retail regulations as ABLE BC prepares for the next set of advocacy engagement work. Not sure if your cannabis business is a part of ABLE BC Membership? Contact bo@ablebc.ca |
New ABLE BC Cannabis Retailer Survey Available ABLE BC has prepared a new industry survey for private cannabis retailers in BC. This survey will help our advocacy efforts and ultimately help shape future policies surrounding: - BC’s market controls;
- on-going government regulatory projects;
- and streamlining existing cannabis policies.
If you are cannabis retailer looking to contribute to the health and perspectives of BC's future cannabis retail landscape, please contact bo@ablebc.ca to receive access to the survey. This survey closes May 21, 2025. |
Surrey Approves Private Cannabis Stores Last month , City Council proceeded to approve 11 private cannabis stores in the City of Surrey. Each application faced a 5-4 council vote and since then the City has provided their recommendations to the LCRB for final issuance of a Cannabis Retail Store Licence to each applicant. ABLE BC's Bo Chen attended the first round of public hearing along with members and had this to share: " We've been working with members, industry partners, and the City of Surrey as far back as April 2024 . It has been a long process and even this public hearing went late into midnight, but it was worth the collective effort of industry to open up another closed community and allow for legal and safer options to supply cannabis for Surrey's constituents. City staff and council's progression on this is commendable as it was clear to me that they are committed to their work and gave this serious considerations. Because Surrey is the second largest municipality in the lowermainland, I recognize this change as an important starting point for our industry." |
Reminder: Minimum Wage Increase On June 1, 2025, BC’s minimum wage will increase from $17.40 to $17.85 per hour, a 2.6% change. This follows the changes made in Spring 2024 to the Employment Standards Act, which mandated annual wage increases.
We know it is a challenging time to increase costs for businesses. However, tying minimum wage to inflation is a win for industry that ABLE BC pushed for in recent years. Regular, predictable, and small increases make budgeting and planning for your business easier.
We recognize the financial pressure our members are under and will continue to work with government on relief measures and other solutions that will help your business thrive. |
Member Spotlight: Boss Cannabis |
[pacificanna.ca]  |
This month in ABLE BC Cannabis Member Spotlight, we are proud to feature Boss Cannabis ! A boutique cannabis retail brand which incorporates elements of nature into its West Coast design, Boss Cannabis stores emit warm wood tones, classic lines and earthy hues exude comfort ensuring a relaxing shopping experience. At Boss Cannabis, everyone is welcome, accepted and encouraged to be themselves. The Boss Cannabis Team prides themselves on outstanding customer service and their management team are always scouting out the hottest products and the newest strains. Whether you are looking for a cream to help with muscle and joint pain, something to help you sleep better, or CBD with no THC in it - Boss Cannabis has you covered and their Budtenders are honoured to help you and be a part of your journey.
|
Their flagship location is in Port Coquitlam where they have been operating businesses for 35 years. It is located in right at the corner of Kingsway Avenue and McLean by the Cat & Fiddle Pub. Their second location is in the Silverdale neighborhood in Mission as they noticed this was a community that had been overlooked and wanted to be able to serve them. Boss Cannabis Northside (located at 3377 Coast Meridian Road in North Port Coquitlam) is also now open. Being part of the community is important to the Boss Cannabis Team and with each location they strive to simply be a hub where they can connect their neighbors.
Follow Boss Cannabis on socials ! |
|
|
Exclusive Offers & Savings for Cannabis Members: Greenline - A BLAZE Company |
Together with our advocacy partners from Greenline, a BLAZE company — ABLE BC is proud to announce the exclusive offerings and savings on point of sale solutions for our cannabis members! Since 2018, Greenline, a BLAZE company, has been at the forefront of retail technology innovation, delivering reliable, compliant, and forward-thinking solutions for cannabis retailers across Canada. Proudly Canadian, their dedicated team sets the Gold standard for customer support in the cannabis tech industry, ensuring every client receives responsive, knowledgeable service. As the market evolves, so does our software suite — now including BLAZE ECOM for seamless online ordering, BLAZEPAY for integrated payments, and the recently launched BLAZE Sites to power fully branded cannabis store websites. Together, these tools help cannabis retailers consolidate their tech stack, streamline operations, and drive growth.
|
What we heard from stores :
" Since we started with Greenline our business has grown from a single cannabis dispensary, to now 37 retail stores. Greenline really helped us put all of those together, seamlessly integrating one dashboard to manage all of these stores over 5 provinces."
Jevon Charran, CTO, Cost Cannabis
“ We love some of the improvements to BLAZE ECOM. Having the ability to make subcategories to really customize it, really helps us display products that we want to highlight like disposables or infused pre-rolls.” Himanshu Nijhawan, Owner, High Supply |
What Does This Mean for ABLE BC Cannabis Members? - POS Solutions for cannabis retailers: Greenline's platform includes point-of-sale, e-commerce, integrated payment processing through BLAZEPAY, and a CMS website builder with BLAZE Sites
- Exclusive Offers & Savings for ABLE BC Members: 20% discount savings to ABLE BC members for BLAZE’s cannabis retail point of sale software, systems, and subscription services: Point of Sale, BLAZE ECOM, and BLAZE Mobile App!
Curious about savings & offers for your cannabis business? Contact bo@ablebc.ca. |
|
|
Reminder: Health Canada Seeking CBD Feedback on NHP and Pets Health Canada is looking for industry’s input on the Science Advisory Committee’s proposal to amend existing federal regulations to permit sale of natural health products (NHPs) and non-prescription veterinary products containing CBD. The goal of this engagement is to evaluate whether these types of products would be better sold as a prescription or non-prescription channels to protect the health and safety of Canadians and animals. The closing date for this round of feedback is June 5, 2025 |
Ask an Expert: SUPER HR Temporary Duties, Permanent Protection: Documenting Short-Term Job Changes - A Quick Guide for ABLE-BC Members Sometimes, your team members step outside their usual roles-covering a shift, lending a hand on a special project, or taking on a short-term task. Even if it’s just for a day, it’s crucial to get the details right to stay smooth and compliant with BC’s employment rules. Keep It Simple - But Document Everything No need for a full contract rewrite when the change is temporary and minor. Instead, use two straightforward forms: - Internal Pay Adjustment Form: Capture the what (task details), when (date/time), and how much (temporary pay). Be clear that their regular role and pay resume once the task ends.
- One-Time Assignment Acknowledgement: Have the employee sign off to confirm they agree with the temporary change. This is your written handshake.
Why Bother? We get it, extra paperwork isn’t anyone’s favourite. But in BC, skipping this step can cause payroll headaches, misunderstandings, or even legal risks like claims of constructive dismissal. Documenting temporary changes: - Keeps payroll accurate and hassle-free.
- Protects you from disputes over duties or pay.
- Shows you’re following BC’s Employment Standards Act, ensuring fair treatment.
Heads Up on Bigger Changes If the change feels significant-like a major role shift or pay cut-get explicit consent from your employee. Small tweaks can add up if ongoing, so keep communication open and clear. The Golden Rule: Talk It Out A quick conversation plus clear paperwork equals happy employees and a legally sound workplace. Trust us-your future self and your team will thank you. Need Help? ABLE BC Expert Super HR can support your submission and ensure your summer setup is compliant and optimized. We offer ABLE BC members a free 30-minute consultation. Connect with pierre@superhrcanada.com to book your session today. |
Out and About with ABLE BC This month certainly is a packed one! While ABLE BC is rolling through a busy season in streamlining our operations and simultaneously engaging the community on industry priorities, it is business as usual for our cannabis advocacy efforts as we prepare for our upcoming visit to Victoria. |
- Top-Left: Bo with Anjali (Branch & Community Engagement Manager @ Community Savings )
- Top-Right: ABLE BC Cannabis Members @ BC Lions Preseason VIP Event
- Bottom-Left: Bo with Marc Ross @ SweetJustice
- Bottom-Right: Bo with Cannabis Committee Chair Feven Berhane & Vancouver City Councillor Lisa Dominato
|
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars Check out these upcoming events: - Movies & Munchies, Vancouver , May 22
- Launch Party: Cannabis Culture & Fair Cannabis , Vancouver, May 24
- ABLE BC Industry Event , Victoria, May 26
- WEEDS Farmgate Grand Opening , Pitt Meadows, June 6 - 7
- Growing Relationships & Summer Fair , Mission, July 28
- North Van Cannabis Expo , North Vancouver, August 23
- Kootenays Cannabis Farm Tour , Kootenays, September 6
- Growing Relationships: Vancouver Island , Nanaimo, September 19
- Growing Relationship: Okanagan , Kelowna, October 5 - 6
- BC Restaurants Hall of Fame , Vancouver, October 20
|
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 . |
|
|
|
