Bulletin 24-07: Update to cannabis industry sampling

Publication date: July 16, 2024

Who's impacted

This change applies to the following licences and authorization holders:

  • Cannabis Retail Store (CRS)
  • Producer Retail Store (PRS)
  • Section 119 authorizations
  • Cannabis Marketing 

What's changing

The Cannabis Licensing Regulation (CLR) has been amended to allow the following changes to cannabis industry sampling in B.C. 

Cannabis Retail Stores, Producer Retail Stores and Section 119 Authorizations

CRS and PRS licensees and Section 119 authorization holders are no longer required to pay a nominal fee for product samples.

CRS and PRS licensees and Section 119 authorization holders may now accept free samples from federally-licensed producers (federal licence holders) and Marketing licensees. 

Additionally, CRS and PRS licensees and Section 119 authorization holders may now share product samples they receive (from federal licence holders and Marketing licensees) with other cannabis store licensees and authorization holders.

 

Cannabis Marketing licensees

Cannabis Marketing licensees may now accept free product samples from federal licensees and give those cannabis samples to cannabis retailers. However, Marketing licensees must be authorized to possess the cannabis under the Cannabis Act (Canada) to share product samples. 

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

Requirements

Cannabis samples must  be registered under the Cannabis Distribution Act. 

Cannabis samples must not exceed the maximum amount specified by the General Manager of the LCRB. 

A cannabis sample must not exceed 3.5 grams (g) of dried flower or the equivalent amount per class of cannabis product in the sample. If a cannabis product is not available in 3.5 g or an equivalent or a lesser amount, the smallest available amount of the product may be provided as a sample. 

More information about equivalent amounts for the classes of cannabis can be found in: 

  • section 5.2.16 of the CRS Licence Handbook
  • section 5.2.17 of the PRS Licence Handbook 
  • the Product Sample section of the Cannabis Marketing Licence Handbook

Record-keeping requirements

All licensees and authorization holders must keep records relating to cannabis samples. For more information about record-keeping requirements for cannabis samples, please see the:

  • CRS and PRS Licence Handbook sections 3.4.17 and 3.4.18
  • the Product Sample section of the Cannabis Marketing Licensee Handbook

Helpful information

  • Giving cannabis samples to patrons remains prohibited. 
  • Cannabis consumption in a cannabis store is prohibited, even when the store is closed. 
  • Sample sizes will be limited by the LCRB’s General Manager. 
  • Only cannabis products that are registered under the Cannabis Distribution Act are eligible for sampling.

Document history

Bulletin 24-07 replaces Bulletin 23-08.

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