Cannabis Industry Update: September 27, 2023
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find in today’s update:
Notes from Nick
LAST CHANCE – Minors as Agents Program Webinar
Advocacy Update
Industry Update
Member Spotlight: Flight Cannabis
Out and About with ABLE BC
go2HR: Checking in
Find all past updates here.
Notes from Nick
There has been a lot of media coverage about the Supreme Court case brought by 14 Okanagan cannabis retailers against the government of British Columbia. The retailers failed to persuade the court that government owes them a duty of care to take enforcement action against illicit stores operating on First Nations’ territories. The retailers were seeking compensation for the loss of revenue they suffer due to the illicit stores operating unchecked by government enforcement.
ABLE member Shelley McHugh from Yellowhead Cannabis (who was not part of the court proceedings) recently expressed her frustration about this issue with me:
“We hold a cannabis licence issued by the LCRB. Our store is located on First Nations’ land and every day our staff deal with the impact illicit stores have on our business and the local community. We are continually educating our customers that the products we sell have been tested by the government and are safe to consume. Until the government takes meaningful steps to close unlicensed stores, we will continue to lose out to the black market. They have every advantage: they don’t have to pay the tax we do, can advertise however they like, sell any products they want at whatever price they choose. The legal stores cannot compete, and we are getting no help from the government.”
One of ABLE’s key policy priorities is to bring licensed retailers and the provincial government together to combat the illicit market so cannabis retail in BC can succeed.
Last Chance! Minors as Agents Program Webinar
Preventing the sale of liquor and cannabis to minors is a key priority for the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB). The Minors as Agents Program (MAP) is the LCRB’s tool for monitoring licensees’ compliance with the prohibition against selling of liquor and cannabis to minors.
While we share government’s goal of keeping controlled substances out of the hands of minors, industry’s MAP compliance rate for the first quarter of 2023 was only 81 per cent. This webinar will provide a better understanding of due diligent practices to help you ace a MAP visit.
Please join senior officials from the LCRB— Ian Brown, Deputy General Manager and Executive Director, Compliance and Enforcement, and Maria Caduhada, Manager, Dispute Resolution and Branch Registrar—for a discussion of the MAP initiative. Ian will explain the program and clarify what minor agents do during an inspection. Maria will offer an overview of enforcement hearings and provide insight into the essentials of an effective due diligence defence.
We will also be joined by an expert licensing consultant who will review due diligence resources for your business.
This webinar is free for ABLE BC members! Simply login to the member portal to register now.
Non-members may attend for $10.
Not a member yet? Sign up today to gain free access to this webinar and all other ABLE BC resources.
Webinar Details:
Date: Thursday, September 28, 2023
Time: 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Location: zoom
Tickets: FREE for ABLE BC members. $10 for non-members
Advocacy Update
We are pleased to announce that, as of September 25, federally licensed producers (LPs) can promote their products by providing retailers and their staff with samples for a nominal fee. Retailers still cannot provide samples to store patrons. There is no maximum size for samples, but they are expected to be of reasonable quantity and should have nominal retail value. A sample shall not be used for any type of inducement.
ABLE has advocated for this change with the LCRB for the past few months to allow licensed producers and retailers greater flexibility in staff training and product awareness.
Please read Bulletin 23-08: Cannabis industry sampling for more details.
Industry Update
BC Cannabis Wholesale will soon launch a new data report to provide licensed producers (LPs) insight into which retailers are purchasing their products. The “BC Cannabis Wholesale Customer Distribution Report” will provide LPs with a list of retailers purchasing their products and the number of cases purchased by each retailer, by SKU, over a four-week period.
The intent is to help LPs better understand the distribution of their products across the province, the popularity of their products, and allow them to better support the.
The report is limited to purchasing data by retail stores for an LP’s own products. LPs will not receive data related to other LPs’ products, and the report will not include retailers’ counter sales, or any other data related to retailers’ sales.
If you have any questions about this report, please email cannabis.customerexperience@bcldb.com.
Member Spotlight - Flight Cannabis
ABLE is very pleased to welcome Flight Cannabis as a member!
Flight Cannabis is owned and operated proudly on Vancouver Island, where they source products from local BC LPs to keep their transport footprint low. Retail operations are monitored to be kept as green as possible, aligning with their dedication to sustainability. They focus on small-batch cultivated craft cannabis grown by BC producers to help provide the freshest and highest quality products for their customers.
Out and About with ABLE BC
Last week, Steve Dowsley (Chair of ABLE’s Cannabis Committee) attended the Union of British Columbian Municipalities convention in Vancouver. Steve had numerous conversations with other attendees on cannabis related issues. Through these he was able to get insights into how many municipalities view hot topics like consumption spaces and the general view of the future of cannabis retail in BC.
ABLE BC is Hiring!
We are excited to announce that we're expanding our team and seeking to add a Membership Sales and Services Coordinator to the ABLE BC team!
Click here to read the full job description
To apply, please send your resume, a writing sample, and salary expectations to jeff@ablebc.ca.
Please feel free to forward the job description to your network of contacts or encourage prospective candidates to reach out to jeff@ablebc.ca.
go2HR on Tap : Checking In
Although it may seem like the biggest challenge of our generation (the Covid-19 pandemic) may largely be behind us; it’s impact on cannabis retail will continue to be felt for years to come. As employers, it is our responsibility to create a supportive environment where employees feel valued and cared for. Regularly checking in with them about their mental health can make a significant difference in their overall well-being and productivity. In this article, we will explore the importance and benefits of checking in with employees, particularly in the challenging post-pandemic context.
The importance and benefits of checking in:
Recognizing the impact: Anxiety, stress, and trauma are common responses during challenging times. Some individuals may in fact function very well during a crisis and experience a delayed stress response once the crisis has passed. By checking in with employees, we acknowledge and validate their experiences creating a safe space for them to express their concerns.
Reducing stigma: Most employees in the cannabis industry take a lot of pride in their work however, this industry can be subject to societal stigma. Many people still associate cannabis use with negative stereotypes, like criminality and substance use disorders. This stigma may impact employees' mental well-being and the ability to retain and attract talent. By actively checking in on their mental health, employers can create a safe and supportive environment, and work with them to decrease the stigma they might experience while working in these industries.
High-stress environment: Dealing with customers, handling regulated substances, and managing potentially difficult situations can contribute to a high-stress work environment. Regular check-ins allow employers to identify and address stressors that employees may be facing. This can help prevent burnout, improve job satisfaction, and promote a healthier work-life balance.
Demonstrating care and support: Checking in with employees about their mental health sends a powerful message that their well-being matters. It shows that we genuinely care about their emotional state and are committed to supporting them through difficult times.
Early identification of potential mental health concerns: Regular check-ins help us to identify signs of distress early on; allowing us to take necessary steps to offer timely support and connect them with appropriate resources, such as counselling services or employee assistance programs.
Enhanced employee morale: When employees feel supported and cared for, their morale increases. This boost in morale can lead to increased motivation, engagement, and productivity, even during challenging times.
Improved communication and teamwork: Regular check-ins foster open and honest communication between employees and management. This open dialogue can strengthen relationships, build trust, and improve teamwork, helping everyone navigate through difficult times more effectively.
Our employees are our most valuable assets. By prioritizing their well-being and regularly checking in with them, we can create a psychologically safe and supportive work environment that promotes resilience, productivity, and overall wellness.
We invite you to watch the 3-minute Safety Talk: Checking In on BC’s Hub for Workplace Mental Health. To learn more about how you can notice and support employees who may be struggling with their mental health, we encourage you to register for the Workplace CARE Level 2: How to Help, created specifically for the Tourism & Hospitality sector.
If you have questions or would like more information about checking-in or psychological health and safety in the workplace (at no cost), please contact Valerie Lister, go2HR’s Workplace Psychological Health & Safety (PH&S) Coach.