Advocacy Work

ABLE BC WORKS HARD EVERY DAY TO ADVOCATE FOR YOUR INTERESTS, PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS, AND HELP ENSURE THE PROSPERITY OF THE RETAIL CANNABIS RETAIL INDUSTRy.

ongoing advocacy:

Sept 14th, 2023

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. 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.

Aug 10th, 2023.

The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) issued an Engagement Paper on changing cannabis promotion and consumption rules. The LCRB approached ABLE BC to submit comments on behalf of our members and the cannabis industry.

We wrote to the LCRB including these comments. Read our letter to the Director of Communications and External Relations below:

Promoting Consumption Spaces Engagement

We will continue to provide updates to members on this policy change as they become available.

Your Everyday Advocates

ABLE BC’s team of dedicated experts provide advice and guidance to our members on a daily basis. As the voice of BC’s cannabis retail industry, we are always working to advocate on your behalf with government.

Cannabis Committee 

The Cannabis Committee is comprised of industry experts representing different business sizes from regions around the province. The Committee works closely with our Head of Cannabis Membership, Nick Landells to develop our policy priorities and government relations strategies.

THE CANNABIS COMMITTEE HAS HIGHLIGHTED THESE Strategic objectives:

  • Protecting investments and expand business opportunities

  • Modernize cannabis licensing and regulations

  • Create due diligence materials and best practice guidelines

  • Reduce tax and regulatory burden on legal cannabis retailers

Policy Wins

Repeal of cannabis visibility rules: effective May 30, 2023, ABLE’s work with the LCRB lead to repealing the visibility requirements from the Provincial Cannabis Licensing Regulation (CLR). Removing this requirement improved visibility into cannabis stores and increased safety for licensees, staff and patrons.

Cannabis Delivery permitted by Common Carrier: ABLE advocated on behalf of our members to relax the cannabis delivery rules. This lead to the LCRB policy, effective July 8, 2023,  enabling product to be delivered by common carrier and increasing the delivery options for retailers.

For all policy wins and updates check out our Policy Updates page.

Policy Priorities

Click below TO SEE ALL OUR LATEST POLICY UPDATES

PROVINCIal DISTANCE CRITERia

To work with government to implement a standard minimum distance rule between cannabis stores (including BC Cannabis stores) throughout the province. This will enable our members to improve business planning & forecasting and promote investment in the industry.

CHANGES TO THE TIED HOUSE RULES

Update the tied house rules to enable retailers more commercial flexibility to work with licensed producers to promote/feature their products in stores. This will promote investment in the retail industry.

Reduce the impact of the illicit market

Continue our work with the provincial government to develop effective and creative solutions to reduce the impact that the illicit market has upon licensed cannabis stores. This will improve access to regulated & safe non-medical cannabis throughout BC.

LDB SERVICE LEVELS

Continue our work with the LDB to improve service and delivery to cannabis stores.

8 Store Cap

Work with our members and the LCRB to consider whether the cap on the number of retail stores that a licensee can hold should be retained or amended.

MODERNIZE Cannabis LICENSING

Continue our work with the LCRB to improve the licensing application process so it is faster, simpler, and more transparent.

benchmark Surverys

ABLE is collecting data to create an economic snapshot of the private cannabis retail industry. We will survey cannabis retailers annually to help our members develop benchmarks for their businesses.

 Please help us by completing our first-ever cannabis benchmark survey. Results will remain anonymous and will be shared with cannabis retail members free of charge.