ABLE BC Industry Reception Registration Open, Meet Our Cannabis Committee, Cannabis Sales at Events, and more industry news inside. ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Cannabis Industry Update: September 9, 2026 |
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Dear ABLE BC Cannabis Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here's the latest news for the private cannabis retail industry: - Registration Open! ABLE BC Industry Reception on September 21
- Has Your ABLE BC Membership Expired?
- Meet ABLE BC's Cannabis Committee
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Cannabis Sales at Events: Insights from Craft Greenery
- Reminder: EPR Requirements in BC for E-Cigarettes & Vapes
- Canadian Cannabis Retail Sales Hit New $500M Record
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Federal Government Launches $24M Cannabis Research Initiative
- BCHA Fast Track Your Future is Back!
What you'll find in every newsletter: Member Spotlight: Avenue Cannabis go2HR: Support Your Team this September Out and About with ABLE BC -
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
- Help our Cannabis Advocacy - Join ABLE BC
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Registration Open! ABLE BC Industry Reception on September 21 |
Join us on Monday, September 21, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Donnellan’s Irish Pub in Vancouver for an evening of networking, industry connection, and conversation.
Meet ABLE BC’s Board of Directors, Committees & Members, connect with fellow industry professionals, and learn more about ABLE BC’s recent advocacy achievements and upcoming priorities.
We’re also pleased to welcome Minister of Agriculture and Food Lana Popham, along with senior officials from the BC Liquor Distribution Branch and the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.
Enjoy delicious appetizers, drinks, live music, and meaningful conversations about the key issues shaping BC’s liquor, hospitality, and cannabis industries.
REGISTER HERE Complimentary Tickets for ABLE BC Members Promotional codes for complimentary tickets are available exclusively to current ABLE BC members in good standing. The code has been sent to members by email. If you believe you should have received a code but haven’t, please reach out to us.
If your membership is due for renewal, has recently lapsed, or you’re interested in becoming a member, there’s still time to renew or join and access this benefit! Renew your membership or become an ABLE BC member here, or contact ABLE BC Community Ambassador Nicole McLaughlin at membership@ablebc.ca for assistance.
We look forward to raising a glass with you on September 21! |
Has Your ABLE BC Membership Expired? |
ABLE BC memberships expired on August 31, 2026. If you haven’t yet renewed, you can still reactivate your membership today.
Your membership directly supports the advocacy work that ensures BC’s cannabis retail sector has a strong, united voice with government.
Membership dues enable ABLE BC to advocate on behalf of licensees, build relationships with decision-makers, monitor emerging issues, and ensure the cannabis industry is represented alongside other well-established industries across British Columbia. By renewing, you’re helping strengthen our industry’s collective voice and supporting the ongoing work that protects and advances the interests of BC’s cannabis sector.
Renewal also restores your access to valuable member programs, resources, and benefits, including the ABLE BC x Western Financial Group Hospitality Insurance Program. Without an active membership, you may no longer be eligible to access these exclusive benefits and services.
It’s not too late to renew. Log in to the Member Portal and follow the renewal instructions on your dashboard. Questions or need assistance?
Contact Nicole McLaughlin at membership@ablebc.ca for help accessing your account or completing your renewal. |
Meet ABLE BC's Cannabis Committee |
ABLE BC’s cannabis retail advocacy work is supported by our members.
Our policy priorities and advocacy strategy are also guided by ABLE BC's Cannabis Committee, working alongside our staff and Directors. All committee members are experienced and dedicated industry professionals, representing a range of business sizes and regions across British Columbia.
The Cannabis Committee is chaired by Feven Berhane, Co-Founder of KushKlub Canada. The committee helps steer policy priorities to ensure ABLE BC’s advocacy work meaningfully benefits BC’s private cannabis industry.
Thank you to our Cannabis Committee members, who continue to play an important role in shaping the future of the industry. Meet committee members and ABLE BC’s Board of Directors at our Industry Reception on September 21. |
Cannabis Sales at Events: Insights from Craft Greenery |
For Dennis Park, co-owner of Craft Greenery (and ABLE BC Cannabis Committee Member) cannabis at public-facing events is less about convincing people that it belongs there and more about recognizing that the audience is already ready for it.
Dennis has been involved in events since the legacy medical cannabis market, including industry-facing events in both California and British Columbia. More recently, Craft Greenery has started participating in public-facing events — a shift that Dennis says has been made possible in large part by event organizers becoming increasingly comfortable with having cannabis businesses involved. And the response from attendees has been striking. “The number one takeaway is that the public is definitely ready for it,” says Dennis. “The community is ready.” At events where Craft Greenery has been able to have a presence, one of the biggest reactions has been simple surprise — followed by excitement — when people realize they can purchase cannabis on site via ecommerce.
“There’s surprise and happiness that they can buy at the booth,” Dennis says. “It really shows that mainstream society is open to it.”
That openness comes at a time when event organizers are also looking for new ways to generate unique experiences and keep their events sustainable. Dennis sees an opportunity for cannabis to become another piece of that equation, particularly as some traditional event revenue streams begin to soften.
“Events are seeing the revenue through their alcohol model start to wane,” he says. “They’re looking for a lifeline.” |
Craft Greenery’s experiences this summer have included several public-facing events with Public Disco, including their Pride event that drew an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people. The company has also participated in more industry-focused private events, where the environment and audience are different but the value of having cannabis available remains. For Dennis, that value extends beyond the immediate transaction. An attendee who discovers Craft Greenery at an event can become a future customer — while the event itself can also drive spending and awareness for surrounding businesses. “There’s definitely value there,” he says. “Guests coming to that event, being able to purchase onsite, they’re also future potential customers and revenues for surrounding businesses.”
But for now, Craft Greenery’s participation in these events is primarily an investment in awareness and relationships. There is no direct monetary return from the events themselves, meaning each opportunity has to be weighed against the company’s marketing budget.
Even without a direct return, however, he sees significant value in building relationships with event organizers and other potential partners.
That is where Dennis believes the biggest opportunity lies: creating a pathway that allows cannabis businesses to participate in events in a way that is both meaningful for consumers and fully compliant.
Today, licensed retailers can deliver cannabis to event sites, but the experience can be less than seamless for consumers. Instead of being able to purchase directly from a booth, customers may have to arrange a delivery and wait for it to arrive — a workaround that can meet existing requirements but doesn't necessarily create the kind of experience that event organizers or consumers are looking for. Dennis says event organizers themselves are increasingly interested in what a more integrated cannabis retail model could look like — including how it could create a new revenue stream for their events. The priority, he says, is compliance.
“It comes back down to government providing that path,” Dennis says. “Even if it’s a path that needs to be fixed or bettered, it’s better to have a road that we can compliantly move forward on.”
He points to Alberta as an example of a province that has moved ahead of British Columbia in creating opportunities for cannabis at events.
In the meantime, Dennis’s advice to other cannabis businesses is straightforward: start building relationships now. “Just start building pathways with local event organizers,” he says. “Build the relationship and the trust.” For event organizers, cannabis may still be an unfamiliar addition to the event landscape. Having trusted, knowledgeable partners who understand the regulatory environment can help make that transition easier. “Build trust,” Dennis says. “We show up, knock on doors, say hello, get to know people.”
For Craft Greenery, those conversations are already underway — and Dennis believes the interest is there. The next step is creating a regulatory framework that allows the industry to meet that demand responsibly. |
Current Regulatory Limitations
Currently, on-site retail cannabis sales at events are not permitted under provincial regulations. Cannabis licensees cannot operate booths or pop-up shops at events; sales must take place within a licensed Cannabis Retail Store (CRS) or Producer Retail Store (PRS), though deliveries to event sites by licensed retailers are allowed.
Recognizing these limitations - and the opportunities that could come from updating them - ABLE BC has been advocating with the LCRB to explore potential changes.
Advocating for Cannabis Sales at Events
The advocacy work officially started last summer, when ABLE BC's Cannabis Committee Chair and KushKlub Co-founder Feven Berhane, along with Bo Chen, ABLE BC’s Executive Director, met with the LCRB to discuss potential policy frameworks that could allow cannabis sales at events in the future. Together, we shared insights into how private retailers and producers work harmoniously to deliver positive consumer experiences while maintaining public safety.
ABLE BC has also been building the groundwork with local professional event organizers, to explore how cannabis retail can enhance BC’s festivals and cultural gatherings. As these conversations continue, ABLE BC remains committed to working collaboratively with government partners, professional event organizers, producers, and retailers to ensure BC’s cannabis sector is represented safely, responsibly, and vibrantly in our communities. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue building towards a future where cannabis retail & producers can meaningfully integrate into BC’s events sector - for the benefit of businesses, consumers, and local economies alike. |
Upcoming EPR Requirements in BC for E-Cigarettes and Vapes |
The BC government has expanded its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, adding several new product categories to the provincial Recycling Regulation, including vapes, electronic cigarettes and other battery-containing products. Under EPR, producers are responsible for managing the collection and recycling of regulated products at the end of their life. The expanded requirements apply to products sold across residential and non-residential sectors, including products sold online, by phone or by mail. Implementation will take place in stages beginning in 2027. For the new battery-containing product category, producers are required to submit an EPR plan by December 15, 2026, with programs required to be operational by October 1, 2027. Cannabis businesses that manufacture, distribute or sell products that may fall within the expanded categories are encouraged to review the new requirements and determine whether they have obligations under the regulation.
Learn more about BC’s EPR changes and review the explanatory notes. |
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Canadian Cannabis Retail Sales Hit New $500M Record |
Canada’s legal cannabis retail market surpassed $500 million in monthly sales for the first time in both May and June 2026, according to the latest Statistics Canada figures.
Cannabis stores across the country recorded $510.4 million in sales in May and a record $517.8 million in June, surpassing the previous high of $508.6 million set in December 2025.
June sales were up 8% year-over-year, with British Columbia leading the provinces with a 28% increase, followed by Manitoba at 19% and Nova Scotia at 16%. BC Reclaims Second Place
BC also reclaimed its position as Canada’s second-largest cannabis market, behind Ontario, overtaking Alberta in the latest figures.
The provinces have been competing closely for the second spot since late 2025. BC’s recent position may be partly influenced by adjustments to sales data following the province-wide strike in September and October 2025.
A Changing Market
The latest numbers point to continued growth in Canada’s legal cannabis sector, even as the market matures. While flower continues to lose market share, products such as pre-rolls and vapes, along with value-oriented edible packs, are helping drive retail sales.
Statistics Canada also revised its May 2026 figures upward by $25.3 million, with BC accounting for $21.2 million of the adjustment.
Source: Statistics Canada figures reported by StratCann, “Canada Cannabis Sales Surpass Half a Billion in June 2026.” |
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People
Working Well
The Canadian Mental Health Association has created a resource hub for employers and employees dealing with mental health challenges at work. |
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Cannabis Industry Update Newsletter
Sign up for our Cannabis Industry Update Newsletter to learn more about our advocacy for cannabis retail businesses. Click here to read past cannabis newsletters. |
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ABLE BC Member Portal
The Member Portal is your hub for all resources and benefits available to ABLE BC members. Contact membership@ablebc.ca if you need help logging in. |
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Federal Government Launches $24M Cannabis Research Initiative |
The Government of Canada is investing $24 million to expand research into how cannabis affects brain health throughout a person’s lifetime.
Announced August 12, 2026, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the funding will establish the Canadian Cannabis and Brain Health Consortium — Canada’s first national cannabis and brain health research consortium.
The initiative will bring together researchers and multidisciplinary teams from across the country to study cannabis and brain health, including its potential impacts on neurological health, sleep, development before birth and mental health. The consortium will also include research focused on populations that have historically been underrepresented in cannabis research, including Indigenous Peoples and people with rare or complex medical histories.
In addition to supporting research, the initiative will create coordinated national research infrastructure to help harmonize data from multiple sources across provinces and territories, creating a resource that researchers can continue to draw on.
“As cannabis use and products continue to evolve, so must our understanding of their effects on health,” said Dr. Patricia Conrod, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction. “The Canadian Cannabis and Brain Health Consortium will help researchers build a stronger understanding of how cannabis affects people’s health at every stage of life, generating knowledge that can guide prevention, care and evidence-informed policies for years to come.”
The new consortium builds on the federal government’s ongoing investment in cannabis research since legalization in 2018, with the goal of strengthening the evidence available to support health care, prevention and future cannabis policy. Source: reported by StratCann, “Government of Canada Launches $24 Million Cannabis Research Initiative.” |
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BCHA Fast Track Your Future is Back! |
We’re excited to share that a new season of Fast Track Your Future is here! New this year:
BCHA has created a special Partner Association member rate, making it easier for our members to access practical, industry-led professional development.
The 2026/27 season features 10 series covering leadership, financial skills, AI, human resources, communications, operations, and guest experience.
2026/27 Series Lineup -
Hospitality Financial Leadership (Level 2): Sept 16–Oct 28, 2026 | David Lund, The Hotel Financial Coach
- Leadership for Hospitality Professionals: Oct 6–Nov 10, 2026 | Theresa Ito, Blue Mountain Solutions
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AI & Automation in Action — sponsored by Mews: Oct 22–Nov 26, 2026 | Keith Daser & Jason Tate, Deliver Digital Inc.
- Conflict Resolution & Workplace Communication — sponsored by Innfocus Photography: Nov 4–Dec 16, 2026 | Caroline Bagnall, Connect Hospitality Strategies Inc.
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Human Resources Strategy for Hospitality — sponsored by VVS Global: Jan 20–Feb 24, 2027 | go2HR
- Communications & Media Relations for Hospitality: Jan 26–Mar 2, 2027 | Larissa Dundon, Founder, The Tea Communications
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Housekeeping Leadership & Operational Excellence — sponsored by Ecolab: Mar 3–Apr 7, 2027 | David McBean, Hotel Industry Leader & GM
- Managing Profitable Food & Beverage Operations: Mar 9–Apr 13, 2027 | Caroline Bagnall, Connect Hospitality Strategies Inc.
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Advanced Leadership for Hospitality Professionals (Level 2): Apr 14–May 26, 2027 | Theresa Ito, Blue Mountain Solutions
- Human-Centered Hospitality: Creating Memorable Guest Experiences: Apr 20–Jun 1, 2027 | Sarah Webb & Daintry Van Cleave, Hotel Industry Leaders
Register for Fast Track Your Future. |
Valued Partners of ABLE BC - Cannabis |
Our valued partners play a vital role in advancing our industry, and we’re proud to highlight their continued support. |
Member Spotlight: Avenue Cannabis |
Nestled in West Vancouver’s Ambleside neighbourhood, Avenue Cannabis is a family-owned cannabis retailer focused on making the cannabis shopping experience welcoming, informed and approachable. As the first cannabis store in West Vancouver’s Ambleside area — and just the second store to serve cannabis consumers in the district — Avenue has become part of the local community with a clear focus on education, safety and wellness.
“We are building our families and raising our children here,” the Avenue team shares. “Avenue comes with the serious responsibility and commitment to understanding and providing a lot more than just products for our customers.” |
More Than Just Cannabis
Avenue takes a curated approach to its product selection, with a focus on personalized service and product knowledge. Whether customers are new to cannabis or seasoned enthusiasts, the team aims to create an environment where people can ask questions, learn and feel comfortable. The store also offers a selection of accessories and information to help customers explore cannabis in all its forms.
A Thoughtfully Designed Space The Avenue experience extends to the store itself. Its interior was designed by Vancouver-based designer Juli Hodgson, whose work includes Aritzia, Blue Ruby and cannabis retail.
Designed to feel more like a high-end spa than a traditional retail store, the space guides customers through different product categories while creating a welcoming, elevated experience. |
Proudly Part of the North Shore Avenue’s commitment to its community was recognized in 2025 when it was voted the Number 1 Cannabis Store on the North Shore in the North Shore News Readers’ Choice Awards.
For the Avenue team, the recognition was especially meaningful because it came from the community they serve.
With its focus on education, thoughtful retail and community connection, Avenue Cannabis is helping shape the future of neighbourhood cannabis retail on the North Shore. |
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go2HR: Support Your Team this September |
Make Time for Your Team This September
September can look different across BC's tourism and hospitality industry. For some employers, the busy summer season is winding down. For others, a new busy period is just getting started. Either way, it's a good time to pause and check in with your team. go2HR is offering free, practical 30-minute Psychological Health and Safety mini sessions designed specifically for tourism and hospitality employers.
Choose the topic that best fits your team: - Tackling Seasonal Burnout - recognize early signs and support your team during demanding periods
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Psychological Safety - help workers feel comfortable raising concerns and speaking up
- Supporting Workers Through the Seasonal Rush - help your team manage shifting demands and pressure
The sessions are free, virtual, and designed to fit into a busy schedule. A small investment of time can make a big difference for your team.
Book Your Free PH&S Mini Session |
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.
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