Cannabis Industry Update: October 11, 2023
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find in today’s update:
Notes from Steve
Advocacy Update
Industry Update
Digital Age Verification Pilot
Member Spotlight: Green Gold Cannabis
Out and About with ABLE BC
go2HR
Find all past updates here.
Notes from Steve
Steve Dowsley is Chair of ABLE BC’s Cannabis Committee and Cofounder of Burb Cannabis
For cannabis retailers, the fast-approaching five-year anniversary of legalization is an opportunity to reflect on where we are now, and to look at opportunities and challenges ahead. It’s no secret that legalization started slowly in BC, and I think we all paid the price for a long time. My congratulations to those retailers who found a landlord willing to lease to them, a municipality prepared to take a chance on cannabis, and who remained patient through the uncertainty of provincial licensing. Contrary to what many expected, there was no “first mover advantage” in our nascent industry. Over the past five years, through a mixture of bad luck, bad judgment, and bad planning we’ve seen retailer big and small fail along the way.
So where are we know? Like many of you, I believe our industry is in jeopardy of being over-regulated by federal, provincial, and municipal governments. While I do believe governments hear our message that things need to change, the pace of change has been glacially. Will Ottawa lower the tax burden throughout the supply chain, which currently makes regulated cannabis too expensive? Will Health Canada ever appreciate that to compete with the black market the legal market must produce the same type of products, but better? Will our provincial government allow licensed retailers and producers to develop the types of commercial arrangements we see in every other retail environment? We all dream of the day that we as retailers can call a supplier, order high quality products that our customers are asking for, and have them quickly delivered straight to our stores. Now that is what a successful cannabis industry would look like!
Clearly, we have a lot of work to do. As Chair of ABLE BC’s Cannabis Committee, I am working directly with some of the most experienced voices in our industry—along with ABLE’s hard-working staff—to advocate for the changes our industry needs to succeed.
If you have thoughts you’d like to share about the future of our industry, please reach out to me care of nick@ablebc.ca.
Advocacy Update
On behalf of our members, ABLE has submitted a response to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch’s (LCRB) review of the number of licences a cannabis retailer can hold.
Currently, regulations limit retailers to a maximum of eight stores. Our Head of Cannabis Membership, Nick Landells, spoke to each of our members and many other retailers before submitting comments to the LCRB. As expected, members expressed a range of opinions including lowering the cap, keeping it untouched, removing it completely. The one consistent theme throughout was a strong desire to protect the diversity of cannabis retailers by prohibiting the proliferation large big discount chains, such as we have seen in other provinces.
To that end, ABLE’s written submission supported a small raise to 12 stores.
We suggested that any increase be accompanied and supported by a provincial 1km distance separation between retailers, an expedited licence transfer application process for existing licence holders, and updated tied house rules to permit “white label” packaging. These conditions will help support existing smaller retailers, allow modest growth for larger retail groups, and discourage the economies of scale that would discount retailers to operate our market.
You can read our submission here.
ABLE BC Member Webinar: LCRB Minors as Agents Program What You Need to Know – Thanks for Attending!
Thank you to everyone who attended our webinar with the LCRB on the Minors as Agents Program. And a special thank you to Ian Brown and Maria Caduhada of the LCRB and Bert Hick of Rising Tide Consultants for their insights and information.
If you missed this webinar, a recording is now available in the video library of the Member Portal. If you aren’t sure how to login to the Member Portal or if you aren’t a member yet and would like to sign up for access, please email Ann Brydle, Manager of Membership and Communication, at ann@ablebc.ca.
Our Member Portal is filled with tools and resources to help your business thrive. Find our FAQs, free pdf downloads, event registrations, past webinar recordings are more! Learn about and connect with our valued benefit providers (SONA, Global Payments, Foodbuy, VI Banking, Western Financial, and more) and Associate Members. Browse through the member directory to connect with industry experts and suppliers.
Update your profile to ensure your contact information is correct and make sure you are subscribed to our bi-weekly Industry Update newsletter. You can also upload your company logo and social media channels and add employee accounts so your key staff can access the full suite of ABLE benefits and resources.
Digital Age Verification Pilot
Do you sell products online? Are you interested in participating in a fully funded pilot project to test digital age verification?
Join ABLE BC and the LCRB for an information session on Wednesday, October 25, at 1 p.m. To register, email ABLE BC’s Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, at jeff@ablebc.ca.
Recent regulatory changes allow British Columbians to order cannabis and liquor online. ID checks are required upon ordering and delivery, but these transactions aren’t secure or verifiable. This project will improve public safety and protect minors by enabling key online ordering and delivery services like Skip the Dishes, Uber Eats, and others to have a verifiable and auditable digital proof of age at purchase and delivery.
We are currently seeking members who do a reasonable volume of on-line sales who would be interested in incorporating BC’s technology into their software for purchases.
A pilot using the BC Wallet, namely the ‘Person Credential’ (derived from BC Services Card), to validate one’s age has now been officially approved for on-line/app purchase and delivery of restricted goods such as cannabis and liquor.
The Province of BC is looking for partners launch this exemplar age verification pilot. The pilot would be to validates one’s age upon ordering online and verifying age at the delivery location. Also in scope is the issuance of a ‘Serving/Selling it Right’ credential.
BC and other provincial jurisdictions continue to move forward on the adoption of compatible Verifiable Credentials.
This pilot could be a significant step to reduce liability and risk associated with serving minors. For more details or to register, email jeff@ablebc.ca.
Member Spotlight - Green Gold Cannabis
ABLE is very pleased to welcome Green Gold Cannabis Company as a member!
A family-run business, Green Gold is deeply rooted in the small Island community of Gold River. As one of the few licensed stores in the area they are at the forefront of promoting the benefits of buying legal. Their knowledgeable staff focus on customer education and treat all visitors with a warm welcome!
Out and About with ABLE BC
With the SPARK 2023 conference coming up next week, we are full speed ahead on planning and organizing the final details. This conference is sure to be a hit, with two full days of learning, connecting, and growth. We are beyond excited to hear from our keynote speakers Andre Hueston Mack, Jay Ashton, and Theresa Ito! In addition to these innovative and inspirational speakers, we will be have industry leaders from across the province join us for 16 sessions on topics ranging from diversity and inclusion to crisis communications, liquor regulations and compliance to driving profitability through agent relationships, and so much more!
If you haven’t registered yet, why not?! Click here to register now! And click here for the full conference program.
ABLE recently attended the IVSA Vancouver Buyer’s Tasting Salon where we had the chance to catch up with many existing members and meet with potential new members about hot industry topics.
go2HR on Tap: Meet Valerie Lister, go2HR’s Workplace Psychological Health & Safety (PH&S) Coach
Did you know that you have FREE access to a Workplace Psychological Health & Safety (PH&S) Coach who is available to provide 1:1 coaching and resources for workplace mental health-related challenges?
go2HR is pleased to introduce Valerie Lister who recently joined the team in the position of Workplace Psychological Health & Safety (PH&S) Coach, through a partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association of BC (CMHA BC). The go2HR Workplace Psychological Health & Safety (PH&S) Coaches play an integral role in helping to develop and deliver industry-focused workplace mental health training, resources, and support for employers in BC.
As a trained RN, Counsellor, and Psychological Health and Safety Advisor, Valerie brings a wealth of experience to her role. She has effectively developed and led the implementation of psychological health safety practices in workplaces, including an international foodservices and facilities management company.
“I’m on a mission to fight stigma surrounding mental illness and am grateful to have the chance to share my passion for workplace mental health with the Tourism & Hospitality Industry. My experience has shown me that small actions can have a huge impact and seeing the positive ripple effects that this work can have on people, organizations, and communities is what drives me forward.”
If you are interested in learning more about how Valerie can help support workplace mental health and psychological health and safety (PH&S) for you and your team, at no cost, please contact her today for a 1:1 meeting.
While this is NOT a counselling service, Valerie can direct individuals and organizations to appropriate resources.
Employer Resources:
Recognizing and Addressing Burnout, a Safety Talk for Tourism – This 3-minute video and accompanying handout provides tips and resources to help identify and address the signs and symptoms of burnout in yourself and others. Share it with your employees today!
Workplace CARE Training – FREE, online workplace mental health training for tourism and hospitality employees, supervisors, and managers. Learn more and register today.
Questions? Reach out to go2HR's HR Consultants for free advice at hr@go2HR.ca . go2HR is the Human Resources and Health and Safety Association for BC’s tourism and hospitality industry.