Liquor and cannabis policy directives
Last updated on January 12, 2023
This is an archive of liquor and cannabis policy changes from 2014 to 2022. Refer to Bulletins for the latest updates.
2022 Policy Directives
22-15 - Announces temporary changes to allow liquor primary establishments greater flexibility in hosting televised games of the 2022 FIFA World Cup outside of liquor service hours. There is no change to the hours of liquor sale and service. These terms and conditions are only valid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup games from November 20 to December 18, 2022.
22-14 - Announces the new Producer Retail Store licence class allowing retail sales of cannabis at federally-licensed cannabis cultivation sites. The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch will begin accepting Producer Retail Store licence applications on November 30, 2022. In addition, patrons are now permitted to open purchased cannabis packages in store, and there is a new limit of four cannabis plant sales per transaction.
22-13 - Announces miscellaneous amendments to the Agent, Catering, Food Primary, Liquor Primary, Manufacturer, Special Event Permit, Licensee Retail Store, Rural Licensee Retail Store, and Wine Store Terms and Conditions Handbooks to clarify that licensees may only purchase liquor for the purpose of selling and/or serving it under their licence, the rules around the use of automated liquor dispensing systems, the exceptions to the disposable container requirement in stadiums, that taxes no longer need to be specified in price lists, and updated rules concerning manufacturer brand-identified refrigerators.
22-12 - Announces revisions to the Cannabis Retail Store (CRS) Terms and Conditions Handbook to clarify record-keeping requirements include both smell and touch jars; Bitcoin ATMs are not permitted in a CRS; free-of-charge membership programs are permitted to provide notification of offers; and a CRS may hold a Cannabis Marketing licence.
22-11 - Authorizes the delivery of non-medical cannabis, cannabis accessories, permitted cannabis-related items, gift cards and shopping bags by delivery service providers and common carriers on behalf of Cannabis Retail Store (CRS) licensees. CRS licensees are no longer required to own or lease the mode of transport used for cannabis deliveries.
22-10 - Amends the Cannabis Licensing Regulation by removing the requirement for the General Manager (GM) to exempt in writing the transfer of cannabis products between stores held by the same Cannabis Retail Store (CRS) licensee, and allows for cannabis inventory to be sold to an applicant as part of a licence sale. Licensees are no longer required to submit the Application for Product Transfer form prior to any cannabis transfers between their own stores. CRS licensees are still required to obtain prior approval from the GM to sell cannabis to another CRS licensee or to a licence applicant as part of a business sale/licence transfer.
22-09 - Extends the authorization, by term and condition, for manufacturers to deliver liquor products directly to retail customers from their registered off-site storage facility, in addition to their on-site stores, up to and including June 30, 2023.
22-08 - Amends the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation to authorize manufacturers with an on-site store endorsement to sell liquor products they own, whether manufactured on site or manufactured on their behalf by another licensed manufacturer of the same licence class.
22-07 - Enables the lawful operation of managed alcohol programs approved by a health authority.
22-06 - Announces the expiry of the authorization for manufacturers to use their establishments to make and/or package sanitizers at end of day on May 8, 2022. The authorization for manufacturers to use their establishments to sell or donate sanitizers expires at end of day on November 8, 2022.
22-05 - Enables the General Manager of the LCRB to extend existing TESA authorization expiry dates to March 31, 2023.
22-04 - Authorizes Licensee Retail Stores and Wine Stores, by term and condition, to sell clothing and novelties, such as caps, key chains, etc., featuring only the establishment name and logo.
22-03 - Authorizes the operation of ATMs as a type of business allowed to take place in licensed Cannabis Retail Stores.
22-02 - Extends the authorization, by term and condition, for manufacturers to deliver liquor products directly to retail customers from their registered off-site storage facility, in addition to their on-site stores, up to and including June 30, 2022.
22-01 - Changes requirements for picnic area endorsements to support manufacturers in making their Temporary Expanded Service Areas (TESAs) for outdoor sampling permanent.
2021 Policy Directives
21-24 - Extends the authorization, by term and condition, for manufacturers to deliver liquor products directly to retail customers from their registered off-site storage facility, in addition to their on-site stores, up to and including March 31, 2022.
21-23 - Addresses necessary house-keeping and operational changes to uphold the intent of the Rural Licensee Retail Store (RLRS) licence class and clarifies the conditions around the relocation requirements for RLRSs.
21-22 - Authorizes Cannabis Retail Store licensees to sell additional items in their retail store, through an online system, or by telephone.
21-21 - Expands the authorization in Policy Directive 21-14 to allow Food Primary and Liquor Primary licensees to sell single-serving unmixed drinks (e.g., beer, cider, wine, "neat" spirits) for off-site consumption with the purchase of a meal for take-out/delivery.
21-20 - Extends the moratorium on new Licensee Retail Store licences from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2032.
21-19 - Extends the authorization for manufacturers to use their facilities to manufacture and/or package alcohol-based sanitizer and hand sanitizer until 30 days after the Provincial Health Officer announces that B.C. has entered Step 4 of its Restart Plan (extended from September 30, 2021). It also extends the authorization for manufacturers to use their facilities to sell or donate alcohol-based sanitizer and hand sanitizer until six months after the authorization to make and/or package alcohol-based sanitizer and hand sanitizer has expired (extended from September 30, 2021).
21-18 - Provides further clarification regarding non-medical cannabis delivery and curbside pick-up.
21-17 - Clarifies that breweries are now authorized to use their facilities to manufacture malt-based and/or sugar-based hard seltzer.
21-16 - Amends the prescribed circumstances for extensions to dormancy for Cannabis Retail Store (CRS) licences and makes additional changes to the CRS Terms and Conditions Handbook, including changes to secure storage, retention of 24/7 video surveillance, display of cannabis and cannabis accessories, jars for display, smell and touch, and internet group discounts.
21-15 - Authorizes specific private liquor retailers to sell liquor products to Special Event Permit (SEP) holders.
21-14 - Amends the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation and Liquor Distribution Regulation to allow Food Primary and Liquor Primary licensees to package and sell single serving mixed drinks (e.g., cocktails) to patrons for off-site consumption with the purchase of a meal for take-out/delivery.
21-13 - Permanently extends hours of liquor service for Licensee Retail Stores, Wine Stores, Special Wine Stores, Rural Licensee Retail Stores and Manufacturer Onsite Stores from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. It also permanently extends the hours for liquor sales to 7 a.m. by a manufacturer at a farmer's market, assuming all other conditions related to a farmer's market are met.
21-12 - Extends the authorization for brewery, winery and distillery licensees to use their establishments to manufacture and/or package, sell or donate alcohol-based hand sanitizer and sanitizer until September 30, 2021 (from June 30, 2021).
21-11 - Authorizes Cannabis Retail Store (CRS) licensees and their employees to deliver non-medical cannabis, cannabis accessories, gift cards and shopping bags or provide pick-up at a location immediately outside the retail store as of July 15, 2021. In addition, Policy Directive 21-11 removes the requirement for any adult performing work-related activities in a retail store as an employee, independent contractor or volunteer on a full-time or part-time basis to obtain a security verification from the General Manager of the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch and removes the requirement for those who have security verification to renew their verification every five years.
21-10 - Provides more clarity on new patio bounding and signage policies.
21-09 - Enables the General Manager of the LCRB to extend existing TESA authorization expiry dates to Jun. 1, 2022 and introduces the new deadline of October 31, 2021 for new TESA applications.
21-08 - Requires all Rural Licensee Retail Store (RLRS) licensees, who have an authorization from the general manager to sell liquor to specified hospitality licensees, to report all liquor sales made to each hospitality licensee to the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB).
21-07 - Temporarily authorizes Liquor Primary licensees with a Family Foodservice term and condition to permit minors, accompanied by a parent or guardian, in the service area after 10:00 p.m.
21-04 - Makes permanent the authorization for food primary and liquor primary licensees to sell and deliver packaged liquor to patrons with the purchase of a meal for off-site consumption.
21-03 - References minor changes to the Cannabis Retail Store Terms and Conditions handbook including, clarifying the collection of donations for charity, viewing cannabis transactions by minors and details about restrictions on shopping bags and gift bags.
21-02 - Re-instates the temporary authorization for liquor manufacturers to direct deliver liquor to retail customers from their registered off-site storage locations up to and including December 31, 2021.
21-01 - Extends the temporary authorizations described in Policy Directive 20-11 for extended hours of liquor service for Licensee Retail Stores, Wine Stores, Special Wine Stores and Manufacturer Onsite Stores until March 31, 2021. This policy also extends the authorization for delivery services to purchase liquor on behalf of a customer from a liquor store or from any licensee authorized to sell in unopened containers, and delivery and sell that liquor to a customer until March 31, 2021, provided the delivery does not take place between 11:30 p.m. and 7 a.m.
2020 Policy Directives
20-28 - Extends the authorization for brewery, winery and distillery licensees to use their establishments to manufacture and/or package, sell or donate alcohol-based hand sanitizer and sanitizer until June 30, 2021 (from December 31, 2020).
20-27 - Replaces Policy Directive 20-19 and extends the temporary authorization for food primary and liquor primary licensees to sell and deliver packaged liquor to patrons with the purchase of a meal for off-site consumption until March 31, 2021.
20-26 - Announces the intention to extend Temporary Expanded Service Area (TESA) authorizations to Oct. 31, 2021 at no charge, as well as the extension of the deadline for new TESA applications to Oct. 31, 2021.
20-25 - Repeals the requirement that a Cannabis Retail Store (CRS) licensee’s business must not appear to be associated with another business.
20-24 - Extends the temporary authorizations described in Policy Directive 20-11 for extended hours of liquor service for Licensee Retail Stores, Wine Stores, Special Wine Stores and Manufacturer Onsite Stores until January 31, 2021. This policy also extends the authorization for delivery services to purchase liquor on behalf of a customer from a liquor store or from any licensee authorized to sell in unopened containers, and delivery and sell that liquor to a customer until January 31, 2021, provided the delivery does not take place between 11:30 p.m. and 7 a.m.
20-23 - Announces updated social responsibility materials for cannabis retail store licensees that must be displayed in a prominent location.
20-22 - Authorizes non-medical cannabis retail store licensees to sell their non-medical cannabis through an online system, or by telephone, for pickup in store. This policy also allows licensees to sell prepaid purchase cards (gift cards) that may be used at any of their store locations, or through their online system for the future supply of non-medical cannabis, cannabis accessories or shopping bags.
20-21 - Temporarily authorizes liquor manufacturers to deliver their liquor products directly to retail customers from their registered off-site storage facility, in addition to their onsite store, effective up to and including October 31, 2020.
20-20 - Amends the Worker Qualification Regulation so that security verifications for workers in a non-medical cannabis retail store expire every five years instead of every two years.
20-19 - Replaces Policy Directive 20-05 and extends the temporary authorization for food primary and liquor primary licensees to sell and deliver packaged liquor to patrons with the purchase of a meal for off-site consumption until October 31, 2020. However, it also amends the policy so that as of July 16, 2020 food primary and liquor primary licensees will no longer be able to sell draught beer in growlers and bombers.
20-18 - Extends the temporary authorizations described in Policy Directive 20-11 for extended hours of liquor service for Licensee Retail Stores, Wine Stores, Special Wine Stores and Manufacturer Onsite Stores until August 31, 2020. This policy also extends the authorization for delivery services to purchase liquor on behalf of a customer from a liquor store or from any licensee authorized to sell in unopened containers, and deliver and sell that liquor to a customer until August 31, 2020, provided the delivery does not take place between 11:30 p.m. and 7 a.m.
20-17 - Amends the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation (LCLR) in relation to dormant liquor licenses.
20-16 - Authorizes current Independent Wine Store (IWS) licensees to apply to convert into Licensee Retail Stores (LRS) in their current locations, regardless of their proximity to another LRS or government-run liquor store.
20-15 - Amends the Cannabis Licensing Regulation (CLR) to remove the requirement that Cannabis Retail Stores be enclosed by non-transparent walls, and instead requires that non-medical cannabis products, packages and labeling cannot be seen from outside the store.
20-14 - Requires current non-medical cannabis retail store licensees and adults who sell or supervise the sale of non-medical cannabis in private retail and government stores, as well as marketing licensees and their staff, to complete the mandatory online responsible service training program, Selling It Right.
20-13 - Permits food primary, liquor primary and manufacturer licensees to temporarily expand their service areas until October 31, 2020 at no charge.
20-12 - Extends the authorization for brewery licence holders, winery licence holders and distillery licensees to use their establishments to manufacture and/or package, sell or donate alcohol-based hand sanitizer and sanitizer until December 31, 2020 (from July 15, 2020).
20-11 - Temporarily extends the hours of liquor service for Licensee Retail Stores, Wine Stores, Special Wine Stores and Manufacturer Onsite Store endorsements to begin no earlier than 7 a.m. and end no later than 11 p.m. This policy also authorizes delivery services to purchase liquor on behalf of a customer from a liquor store or from any licensee authorized to sell in unopened containers, and deliver and sell that liquor to a customer, provided the delivery does not take place between 11:30 p.m. and 7 a.m.
20-10 - Authorizes brewery licence holders,winery licence holders and distillery licensees to use their establishments to manufacture and/or package, sell or donate alcohol-based sanitizer until July 15, 2020.
20-09 - Authorizes brewery licence holders and winery licence holders to use their establishments to manufacture and/or package, sell or donate alcohol-based hand sanitizer until July 15, 2020.
20-08 - Replaces Policy Directive 20-03, and authorizes distillery licensees to use their establishments to manufacture and/or package, sell or donate alcohol-based hand sanitizer until July 15, 2020.
20-07 - Clarifies the meaning of the word “packaged” and the sale of draught beer for liquor primary and food primary licensees who are authorized to sell packaged liquor with a meal, for takeout or delivery for off-site consumption, as outlined in Policy Directive 20-05.
20-06 - States that the requirement for licensees to ensure all delivery persons delivering liquor with a meal from their establishment have valid Serving It Right certification will take effect April 20, 2020. This includes both licensee employees and delivery persons from third-party delivery services.
20-05 - Allows food primary and liquor primary licensees to sell and deliver packaged liquor for off-site consumption to patrons with the purchase of a meal. This policy change remains in effect until July 15, 2020.
20-04 - Allows non-medical cannabis retail store licensees to offer reservations of non-medical cannabis products available in their store to customers via their website or by telephone, for pickup and payment in store.
20-03 - Replaced by Policy Directive 20-08.
20-02 - Clarifies the restrictions on entertainment and 'drinking games' for liquor-licensed establishments and at events held under a special event permit.
20-01 - Announces a change in policy regarding how cannabis retail store licensees can set minimum retail prices for non-medical cannabis.
2019 Policy Directives
19-12 - Announces a change in policy regarding what product information cannabis retail store licensees are able to post on a website.
19-11 - Clarifies the restrictions on cannabis promotion in liquor-licensed establishments and at events held under a special event permit.
19-10 - Announces a correction to Policy Directive 18-06 (variety-of-liquor requirement for large public special event permits (SEP))
19-09 - Announces updated social responsibility materials for liquor licensees that must be displayed in a prominent location.
19-08 - Removes the regulations requiring only B.C. wine to be sold on grocery store shelves.
19-07 - Announces the requirement for non-medical cannabis stores to display social responsibility materials.
19-06 - Announces and clarifies policies regarding non-medical cannabis samples, smell jars and storing open packages of cannabis.
19-05 - Announces miscellaneous policy changes and clarifications related to non-medical cannabis retail stores including licensee's duty to report, intruder and fire alarms, ID requirements, and shopping bags.
19-04 - Announces an increase in the threshold of when a contravention is considered a first contravention. A licensee may be permitted to choose one of either a monetary penalty or licence suspension if it is the first contravention in a 24-month period.
19-03 - Clarifies the delivery service and online advertising requirements for licensee retail stores, wine stores and manufacturers with onsite stores.
19-02 - Announces changes to the Licence Suspension and Monetary Penalty Schedule for liquor licensees and an increase in the period of time for when a contravention is considered a second contravention.
19-01 - Announces new polices for qualifying charitable and industry-only tasting events regarding donated liquor and the removal of any unused liquor.
2018 Policy Directives
18-08 - Announces additional circumstances for the general manager to grant an extended dormancy status to licensees.
18-07 - Clarifies the policies regarding dormancy status.
18-06 - Variety of liquor requirement for Special Event Permits. This policy change will come into effect February 1, 2019.
18-05 - Announces policies for Special Event Permits (SEP) held in tastings areas of manufacturer establishments.
18-04 - Announces changes for value-added promotional items for private retailers.
18-03 - Clarifies minor omissions and inconsistencies that have surfaced since the new Liquor Control and Licensing Act was passed in 2015. The amendments include clarification on employing minors, the due diligence defence for minors, the disclosure of information or records, and the acceptance of alternative ownership arrangements for licensees.
18-02 - Announces updated social responsibility materials that must be displayed in a prominent location within all establishments. These updated materials include daily and weekly limits under Canada’s Low Risk Drinking Guidelines.
18-01 - Announces a new policy that allows special event permit holders to apply for an exemption from donating event profits to charity.
2017 Policy Directives
17-05 - Announces changes to the distance requirement for liquor primary off-premises sales endorsements; relocation application procedures for licensee retail stores; manufacturer sampling during guided tours; and reporting requirements for fraternal societies and veterans clubs.
17-04 - Announces changes regarding charitable auction frequency and manufacturer on-site sampling.
17-03 - Announces changes regarding low-risk catering authorizations, all-inclusive pricing at tasting events and signage requirements.
17-02 - Announces changes regarding special events at liquor primary clubs, new signing authority for branch forms, new reporting requirement for societies and public corporations and new manufacturer location criteria.
17-01 - Updated Alcohol Sense materials.
2016 Policy Directives
16-19 - Compliance and Enforcement policy changes. These policy changes will come into effect on January 23, 2017.
16-18 - Special Event Permit policy changes. These policy changes will come into effect on January 23, 2017.
16-17 - Manufacturer and Agent policy changes.These policy changes will come into effect on January 23, 2017.
16-16 - Liquor primary policy changes. These policy changes will come into effect on January 23, 2017.
16-15 - Food primary policy changes. These policy changes will come into effect on January 23, 2017.
16-14 - General policy changes. These policy changes will come into effect on January 23, 2017.
16-13 - LRSs, wine stores and manufacturer on-site stores may sell and deliver their products on a website that clearly identifies their store and licence number. LRSs and wine stores may accept special orders and deliver them from their store.
16-12 - Amends lease and zoning requirements for Licensee Retail Store relocations.
16-11 - Permits food primary and liquor primary applicants to have no interior licensed area for patrons.
16-10 - Licensee retail stores and wine stores can now sell samples and can now host two manufacturers or agents conducting sampling at any one time. Samples can now total ½ a standard drink size per customer per day.
16-09 - Clarification regarding identification requirements, minimum price for off-premise sales, and use of handcuffs.
16-08 - A reminder to industry of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act prohibition on inducements.
16-07 - Permits hobby brewers and vintners to obtain an SOL to hold a competition to showcase and judge beer, wine and cider that they have made.
16-06 - Permits liquor to be delivered to hotel guests by room service 24 hours a day.
16-05 - Limits Independent Wine Store relocations into grocery stores to the "store within a store" model where all types of wine may be sold. These wine stores have only until August 19, 2016, to relocate to grocery stores to sell 100% BC wine on grocery store shelves.
16-04 - Imposes new minimum liquor retail prices for Licensee Retail Stores, Wine Stores and Manufacturer On-site Stores. These prices will come into effect May 1, 2016.
16-03 - Permits BC VQA stores to sell 100% BC wine, subject to approval by the BC Wine Institute.
16-02 - Creates the new special wine store licence for the sale of 100% B.C. wine from grocery store shelves and establishes auctions to determine eligibility for grocery stores to apply for this licence.
16-01 - All B.C. licensed agents and their sales staff must have a Serving It Right certificate. Non-Canadian representatives of foreign liquor manufacturers who serve liquor in B.C. are exempt from this mandatory liquor service training requirement.
2015 Policy Directives
15-13 - Permits Food Primary establishments with a patron-participation entertainment endorsement to allow patrons to dance until 1 a.m. on January 1st, provided this is not prohibited by local bylaws.
15-12 - Repeals the lounge endorsement and relaxes several other restrictions for Food Primary Licences
15-11 - Permits manufacturers to sell at artisan and annual holiday markets
15-10 - Permits liquor suppliers to provide liquor stores and wine stores with brand identified refrigerators.
15-09 - Announces new tool for special occasion licensed (SOL) events to evaluate public safety risks.
15-08 - Announces a temporary policy change to permit establishments flexibility in hosting televised games of the Rugby World Cup outside of normal liquor service hours.
15-07 - Announces the limited sale of all types of liquor in manufacturer lounges and special event areas.
15-06 - Effective immediately, the General Manager of LDB may place advertisements respecting government liquor stores.
15-05 - Announces the opportunity to convert an Independent Wine Store (IWS licence) into a Licensee Retail Store (LRS licence).
15-04 - New regulations regarding the length of time to keep records.
15-03 - Mandatory display of social responsibility materials in licensed establishments.
15-02 - Announces changes to the Special Occasion Licence program.
15-01 - Announces changes that will allow liquor in grocery stores as well as changes to the 5 km rule for liquor retail relocations.
2014 Policy Directives
14-21 - Announces changes for liquor service at farmers markets held in event-oriented Liquor Primary establishments (e.g. arenas, stadiums, conference centres)
14-20 - Announces changes to the Serving It Right program that will be effective on September 15, 2015.
14-19 - Change to the alternative use policy that requires all Liquor Primary licenced establishments clear all patrons from the establishment ½ hour prior to licensed hours.
14-18 - Liquor primary licensees and manufacturers with a lounge endorsement are allowed an unlimited number of all-ages liquor-free events, requiring a temporary change of terms and conditions. There will be a notification process but no application or approval process.
14-17 - Implements Recommendation 69 by allowing UBrew/UVin members to change their names to Ferment-on-Premises to be consistent with federal legislation. Establishments can continue to call themselves UBrews and UVins if they choose.
14-16 - Licensees who operate ski hills or golf courses may apply for an endorsement to extend their licensed activities to outdoor areas on their property up to 26 times a year.
14-15 - Amends the minimum pricing announced on June 20th, 2014. Note: This policy directive replaces Policy Directive 14-07.
14-14 - Harmonizes Temporary Licence Extensions (TLE) policy with new policy regarding SOLs to allow whole-site TLEs except where it is in the public interest to impose beverage gardens. This directive also outlines the service and sale of spirits, and restricts shooters from service or consumption in the TLE area.
14-13 - Announces changes in regulation permitting minors in Liquor Primary and Liquor Primary Club establishments for the purposes of family dining.
14-12 - Announces changes that allow Wine Stores and Licensee Retail Stores to sell their products for off-site consumption at tasting-focused food and beverage festivals.
14-11 - Announces changes that allow licensed manufacturers to sell their products at farmer’s markets.
14-10 - Announces changes to allow patrons to carry liquor between adjoining licensed establishments if both have the same licensee.
14-09 - Announces changes that allow certain establishments to transfer small amounts of liquor between locations.
14-08 - Announces changes to allow hosts of a family SOL to serve UBrew/UVin (Ferment-on-Premises) products and permits owners and family members of UBrews/UVins to own other liquor establishments.
14-06 - Announces changes to the ethyl alcohol (formerly ‘pure grain alcohol’) permit program that reduce the number of people who are required to obtain a permit to purchase ethyl alcohol for non-beverage use.
14-05 - Announces that licensee retail stores, wine stores, liquor primary and food primary establishments may now store liquor off-site, and that the process for manufacturers to store liquor off-site has been streamlined.
14-04 - Clarifies policy surrounding manufacturer samples handed out in public for home consumption and makes the following rules a term and condition on manufacturer and agent licenses.
14-03 - Announces the implementation of Liquor Policy Review recommendations 56 and 57, which are intended to increase flexibility for liquor primary (LP) stadium licensees. The report recommended removing restrictions on drink choices at stadiums and increasing flexibility around mobile vendors in the concourse areas.
14-02 - Announces the implementation of two policy recommendations from the Liquor Policy Review in relation to public special occasion licensing (SOL). The first is to allow whole-site licensing of public SOLs, eliminating beverage gardens except where in the public interest to impose them. The second is to allow the sale and service of spirits at public SOLs.