Bulletin 23-08: Cannabis industry sampling

Publication date: September 25, 2023

Who's impacted

This change applies to the following licences and authorization holders:

  • Cannabis Retail Store (CRS)
  • Producer Retail Store (PRS)

What's changing

Federally licensed cannabis producers (federal licence holders) can now promote their cannabis by providing cannabis store licensees product samples for a nominal fee.

CRS and PRS licensees and their employees can accept samples from a federal licence holder but are not allowed to supply cannabis samples to other cannabis licensees.

There is no prescribed maximum size for cannabis samples. However, cannabis samples are expected to be of reasonable size and quantity and should have little retail value. A sample shall not be used for any type of inducement.

These changes to the licence terms and conditions are reflected in the updated:

Rationale

This change to the licence terms and conditions is in response to industry feedback and is a first step in helping federal licence holders to promote cannabis with samples while meeting legislative requirements.

To further support the cannabis industry, the LCRB continues to explore future regulatory solutions that will allow:

  • Cannabis stores to provide samples to other licensees; and
  • All marketing licensees to accept and provide samples to other licensees.

Helpful information

  • Providing cannabis samples to patrons remains prohibited
  • Cannabis Marketing licensees can only provide samples if they also hold a federal cannabis licence
  • Cannabis consumption in a cannabis store is prohibited, even when the store is closed

Record-keeping requirements

CRS and PRS licensees must keep records relating to cannabis samples that contain the following information (handbook section 3.4.17):

a) the unique excise tax identifier from the original packaging of the cannabis sample;

b) the date the licensee received the cannabis sample;

c) the federal licence holder and name of the representative that provided the cannabis sample;

d) the nominal purchase amount that the licensee paid for the cannabis sample; and

e) the amount or quantity of cannabis sample received.

Disclaimer

Bulletins are for general information and may not apply to all situations. Bulletins do not constitute legal advice nor are they a comprehensive statement of the legal obligations that arise under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, Cannabis Control and Licensing Act, regulations, or any other applicable laws.

When interpreting and applying the information contained in the Bulletins, you are encouraged to seek advice from your professional advisors as appropriate in the circumstances.

 

Contact information

For questions, email: 

Cannabis policy and communications
cannabisregs@gov.bc.ca