Cannabis Industry Update---------------------------------------------------------
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Cannabis Industry Update:
July 10, 2024
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Dear ABLE BC cannabis members and industry colleagues,
Here's the latest news for the private cannabis industry:
- ABLE BC & the BC Cannabis Secretariat
- ABLE BC Advocacy on Behalf of Surrey Cannabis Retailers
- ABLE BC's Feedback on Health Canada's Proposed Changes to Federal Cannabis Regulations
- Introducing ABLE BC's New Cannabis Committee Chair: Feven Berhane
- Renewal Season is Here!
- Take the ABLE BC Wage Survey
- Gastown's Water Street Pedestrian Zone Pilot Project
- StratCann's Kelowna Growing Relationships Events
- go2HR on Tap: Supporting Employees Through Traumatic Events
- Member Spotlight: Water Street Cannabis
- Out and About with ABLE BC
- Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
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ABLE BC & the BC Cannabis Secretariat
Last month, the BC Cannabis Secretariat invited ABLE BC and other industry associations to a meeting with the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) and Liquor and Cannabis Regulations Branch (LCRB) to discuss several cannabis issues.
Bo Chen (Head of Cannabis Memberships), Jeff Guignard (Executive Director), and Feven Berhane (Cannabis Committee Chair) represented ABLE BC’s cannabis retail members needs, pushing for several policy priorities:
- Reduce the LDB’s 15% markup on Direct Delivery;
- Allow retailers and licensed producers to pay with credit card;
- Reduce business licensing fees by sharing cannabis excise tax revenue between the province and municipalities;
- Create a cannabis Special Event Permit to allow for cannabis consumption and sale at events;
- Establish a minimum provincial distance criteria between retailers, and;
- Allow retail white-label products.
This productive and collaborative meeting set the foundation for success on several long-standing issues. We look forward to bringing our members good news and progress updates in the coming months.
Please contact Bo at bo@ablebc.ca if you would like to discuss ABLE BC’s cannabis policy priorities in more detail.
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Bo Chen and Feven Berhane
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BC’s Hub for Workplace Mental Health
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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Liquor Industry Update Newsletter
Sign up for our Liquor Industry Update Newsletter to learn more about our advocacy for liquor businesses. Click here to read past liquor 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 david@ablebc.ca if you need help logging in.
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ABLE BC Advocacy on Behalf of Surrey Cannabis Retailers
In April, the City of Surrey approved a policy framework that allows up to 12 private cannabis retailers, two in each neighbourhood of the city. Earlier this year, ABLE BC wrote to Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke to express our strong support of the framework.
This week, we continued advocacy for future cannabis retailers in Surrey with a letter to City Council stressing industry priorities for the framework:
- Ensure all 12 permitted stores are operated by private retailers;
- Clarify RFEOI Scoring Process and ensure points are awarded for experience in responsible retail of cannabis or liquor;
- Confirm a timeline to review the current framework and determine an expansion plan, and;
- Prepare an eligibility map for applicants to easily view potential locations.
We are working alongside the Surrey Board of Trade to support future cannabis retailers in Surrey.
We’re pleased that the City has taken this important step in creating opportunities for responsible, licensed cannabis retailers. We will continue to push for more opportunities in Surrey and other communities across BC.
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Bo Chen and Surrey Board of Trade's Jasroop Gosal
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ABLE BC's Feedback on Health Canada's Proposed Cannabis Act Amendments
Last month, we reported on Health Canada’s proposed changes to federal cannabis regulations.
The proposed changes reflect the needs of a maturing cannabis industry and evolving marketplace. ABLE BC strongly supports many of these long overdue changes, which will have a positive impact on product packaging and labelling, production capacity, and will allow certain cannabis products to come to market faster.
Earlier this week, we submitted feedback to Health Canada outlining our support of the proposed changes to simplify packaging requirements, simplify labelling requirements, and streamline the Notice of New Cannabis Products (NNCP) process.
Additionally, we proposed these regulation changes:
- Ease the prohibition on cannabis promotions;
- Increase THC limits on edibles;
- Increase individual cannabis possession limits;
- Provide a framework for minors accompanied by a parent or guardian to enter cannabis stores, and;
- Change the formula for Cannabis Excise Tax to better support the financial viability of Canada’s cannabis industry.
We will provide further updates as they are available.
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Introducing ABLE BC's New Cannabis Committee Chair: Feven Berhane
We're excited to announce Feven Berhane as the new Chair of the ABLE BC Cannabis Committee! We offer a heartfelt thanks to Steve Dowsley, outgoing Chair, for his commitment and support during his tenure. Steve will continue to be a trusted advisor and will maintain memberships for all Burb locations.
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Feven is the proud Co-Founder of KushKlub Canada, a cannabis retail brand with locations in Vancouver and Toronto. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in BC's private cannabis retail industry, and we are excited to see how her leadership steers our cannabis advocacy in the coming months.
Feven grew up in Richmond, with humble beginnings as an Eritrean refugee. This background shaped her approach to entrepreneurship, instilling a holistic and intentional perspective and goal of enriching her community.
Starting her career in banking, Feven quickly climbed the ranks to Corporate Trustee. Her time in this industry ignited a passion for entrepreneurship and drive to build a
Feven uses her success to empower new Canadians, regularly volunteering for philanthropic endeavours and supporting youth in her East African diaspora community.
Please join us in welcoming Feven!
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Renewal Season is Here!
ABLE BC memberships expire on August 31, 2024. Members can renew by logging into the Member Portal and following the renewal instructions posted on the dashboard.
If you have questions about your renewal, don't know how to log into the Member Portal, or would like to discuss a payment plan, please contact Bo Chen, Head of Cannabis Memberships, at bo@ablebc.ca or 604-688-5560 ex. 3.
On your behalf, ABLE BC advocates for business-friendly policies and cost-saving measures that help the cannabis retail industry thrive. ABLE BC is your seat at the table, ensuring your concerns are heard and addressed by government. We present a united voice that speaks for the entire private cannabis retail industry in BC.
We are only able to do this work because of the support of our members. Put simply, ABLE BC does not exist without your membership dues. Your support is critical to our industry’s success.
We are dedicated to safeguarding your cannabis investments by pushing for policies that reduce risk and relieve financial pressure, ensuring your business thrives. Let's secure a prosperous future together.
Prompt payment of your membership dues will enable us to continue our track record of successful advocacy for BC’s private cannabis industry through the year ahead.
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Take the ABLE BC Wage Survey
ABLE BC seeks to understand how the June 1st minimum wage increase has affected members’ businesses, what industry standards are for starting wages, and what our members include in employee benefits packages.
This survey is for all Cannabis Retail Store (CRS), Licensee Retail Store (LRS), and Liquor Primary (LP) licensees in BC.
Your replies are vital to our research and advocacy work and will help us better advance the needs of our members.
This survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete and will remain open until July 19, 2024.
The information you provide in this survey will be kept strictly private and confidential. Your responses will not be viewed on an individual basis but analyzed in aggregate form.
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Gastown's Water Street Pedestrian Zone Pilot Project
As you may already know, the City of Vancouver has begun the Water Street Pedestrian Zone pilot project, which transforms the Gastown street into a vibrant area for walking, expanded patios, community-building, and more. This pilot project is part of City investments and efforts to make Gastown a cleaner, safer, and more people-friendly destination.
This project comes from Vancouver’s Hospitality Sector Working Group, formed by city staff, ABLE BC, and our partners at Rising Tide Consultants and BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA). This group aims to modernize and streamline business opportunities for hospitality and retail establishments in Vancouver.
During the pedestrian zone pilot, sections of Water Street will be closed to vehicles to allow for public seating, community activations, expanded patios, merchandise displays, art installations, special events, and active transportation.
Bo Chen, Head of Cannabis Memberships, visited ABLE BC member, Water Street Cannabis, as the pilot project kicked off to see how it impacts their business. The store manager and staff noted an immediate improvement, and said they are looking forward to a busy summer with increased foot traffic and community engagement.
To ensure businesses can easily and creatively use the additional street space, the City is offering flexible design options and simplified permitting processes for merchandise displays, expanded patios, and other potential business uses.
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StratCann's Kelowna Growing Relationships Event
In June, Bo Chen, ABLE’s Head of Cannabis Memberships, attended StratCann’s Growing Relationships event in Kelowna. It was a great opportunity to connect with members and industry colleagues in the Okanagan!
ABLE BC members Feven Berhane (KushKlub) and Dennis Park (Craft Greenery Cannabis) participated in a panel discussion on cannabis retail issues, reiterating some of ABLE BC’s priorities like reducing the 15% LDB markup on direct delivery.
Dennis recounted the panel as “an eye-opening experience,” that “solidified the importance of open dialogue and collaboration” with industry colleagues.
“Events like this summer are essential for sharing information, building consensus, and crafting strong, unified messages that effectively advocate for our industry,” said Dennis. “While there’s always room to delve deeper, the opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives was invaluable.”
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Dennis Park, Feven Berhane, and other panelists.
Photo courtesy of Boro & Beyond Media.
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go2HR on Tap:
Supporting Employees Through Traumatic Events
go2HR is a regular contributor to the ABLE BC Cannabis Industry Update newsletter, providing tips and guidance on current HR trends, new legislation, employee recruitment and retention, and more. To read the latest instalment, sign in to the member portal or sign up for the newsletter.
All workers in BC deserve a safe workplace. BC employers are legally responsible for protecting the health and safety of employees and complying with the Workers Compensation Act and Occupational Health & Safety Regulation.
Unexpected events, such as robberies or incidents involving violent customers, can occur in the tourism and hospitality industry and may have psychological impacts on affected employees, including PTSD.
Employers must take necessary steps to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of all employees and customers. Preventive measures and clear procedures before such events occur are crucial. It is essential to train leaders and employees on necessary steps and available resources beforehand.
Get started by contacting our Health & Safety Specialists or Mental Health & Psychological Safety Consultants. Explore go2HR's training courses on this topic at go2hr.ca/training/health-safety.
go2HR, the HR and health and safety association for the BC Tourism and Hospitality Industry, has a wealth of free resources to support cannabis retailers. We invite you to connect with us to learn more about how you can support your employees at hr@go2HR.ca.
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Member Spotlight:
Water Street Cannabis
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Water Street Cannabis offers personalized service, working with customers to find the cannabis products best suited to their needs.
With over 50 sniff jars available, the Water Street Cannabis team ensures a unique and immersive experience. Customers can smell dozens of unique strains of cannabis and, with the help of educated staff, make informed decisions about their purchases.
Come by Gastown’s new Pedestrian Zone to check out the wide range of cannabis products and merchandise available at Water Street Cannabis!
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Out and About with ABLE BC
This past month has been busy and productive for ABLE BC’s cannabis advocacy efforts. Between meetings with provincial government partners, city officials in Surrey and Vancouver, and submissions that push our policy priorities forward, we’ve been out meeting with members and attending events.
Reach out to bo@ablebc.ca if you’d like to set up meeting, learn more about our advocacy work, or sign up for a membership!
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Member store Glenmore Cannabis in Kelowna
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Jeff Guignard & Bo Chen at the US Consulate General Vancouver reception
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New cannabis consumption friendly patio at Cheeky's in Mission
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Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
Check out these upcoming events:
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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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Copyright © 2024
BC's Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC)
200 - 948 Howe Street, Vancouver, V6Z 1N9 Canada
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