LCRB social responsibility

Safer consumption

To promote the safer consumption of liquor and cannabis, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB):

  • Provides resources on lower-risk responsible consumption
  • Has mandatory training for liquor and cannabis service and sales
  • Educates licensees on their responsibilities
  • Seizes liquor and cannabis from licensed and authorized establishments when necessary
  • Inspects establishments to make sure they are following the terms and conditions of their licence or authorization 
  • Penalizes establishments that are putting patrons at risk, or negatively impacting their community

Lower-risk alcohol consumption

Drinking is a personal choice. If you choose to drink, this guidance can help you decide when, where, why and how:

  • Set limits for yourself and stick to them
  • Drink slowly
  • Plan non-drinking days every week
  • Know what a standard drink is 
  • Consider your age, body weight and health conditions that might suggest lower limits
  • Pace yourself
    • Wait at least one hour between drinks
  • Drink lots of water
  • Have a non-alcoholic beverage between each drink
  • Drink on a full stomach or eat something while you drink

It's safest not to drink when

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Pregnant, trying to get pregnant or having unprotected sex

There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. Fifty percent of pregnancies in Canada are unplanned and 60% of women don’t know they are pregnant early in their pregnancy. To reduce the risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and other impacts, it is best to go alcohol-free.

 

Breastfeeding

Alcohol can be passed on to your baby through breast milk after you drink. Exposure to alcohol could be damaging to your baby’s growth, development and sleep patterns. If you do choose to drink while breastfeeding, there are things you can do to lower the risk to your baby, such as

  • Breastfeeding right before you drink alcohol
  • Waiting two hours per drink before your next breast feed
 

Caring for someone else, or responsible for the safety of another person

  • Drinking alcohol can impair a caregiver’s judgement and his or her ability to safely care for another person
  • Arrange to have someone else take over your caregiver responsibilities if you are going to or have been drinking
 

Operating a vehicle, boat, machinery or tools

Alcohol slows brain function and motor coordination and can increase the risk of injury.

 

Taking part in sports and activities that need judgement, physical skill, balance and endurance

Alcohol slows brain function and motor coordination and can increase the risk of injury.

 

Taking a medication or another drug which shouldn’t be paired with alcohol

If you’re not sure, don’t risk it.

 

Living with certain mental or physical health conditions

Such as

  • Alcohol, or other drug dependence or addiction
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Depression

 

Other alcohol resources

Alcohol Sense

Find information about lower-risk alcohol use, including

  • A blood alcohol calculator
  • Low risk drinking guidelines
  • Parenting resources

Alcohol and aging – low risk drinking for older adults

The same amount of alcohol produces higher blood alcohol content in an older person, and makes them more impaired than in a younger adult of the same weight. Find out about alcohol and aging.

B.C. Liquor Stores responsible use information

B.C. liquor stores have monthly in-store campaigns raising awareness on responsible topics including

  • Risks of alcohol and pregnancy
  • Get Home Safe programs
    • For beer and wine festival organizers to distribute free, public transit tickets to patrons

Mixing substances and overdose

Get information on safer substance use and preventing overdose at: 

Lower-risk cannabis consumption

Using cannabis can have short- and long-term effects on your health. Cannabis can affect your thinking, physical coordination and control. It can also increase your risk of accidents, injuries, lung problems, reproductive issues and mental health problems, including dependence. If you choose to use, follow the Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines to reduce your risk. 

  • Delaying cannabis use, at least until after adolescence, will reduce the likelihood or severity of adverse health outcomes
  • Use products with low THC content and high CBD: THC ratios
  • Avoid synthetic cannabis products, such as K2 and Spice
  • Avoid smoking burnt cannabis and choose safer inhalation methods including vaporizers, e-cigarette devices and edibles
  • If cannabis is smoked, avoid harmful practices such as inhaling deeply or breath-holding
  • Avoid frequent or intensive use, and limit consumption to occasional use, such as only one day a week or on weekends, or less

It's safest not to use cannabis when:

For more information about these guidelines, check out the Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines evidence brief. 

Other cannabis resources

The Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction

This page provides information on the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction's (CCSA) suite of public education resources about cannabis and links to resources developed in collaboration with partners. Educators looking for resources on young people and substance use can also visit Educators and Youth and Emerging Adults pages. 

Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research

The Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR) has many resources designed to help understand the various aspects of recreational cannabis and cannabis legalization.

Foundry

Foundry is a province-wide network of integrated health and social service centres for young people ages 12-24. Find more information on cannabis, laws, health effects and how to manage use on the Foundry website. 

Here to Help – A Parent’s Guide

This guide will help parents weigh the risks (and benefits) of cannabis use and put them in perspective within their individual situation. The goal is to offer an honest and thoughtful discussion on cannabis so parents can make better decisions about cannabis use—or non-use—in the context of their family.

Get Cannabis Clarity

Cannabis is legal in Canada. Find information on the laws and regulations that will help keep the people and communities of British Columbia safe.