Cannabis security screenings and financial integrity checks

Under the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act, applicants are screened to ensure they are "fit and proper" or suitable to hold a licence. 

This is a public safety measure to ensure licensees are eligible to hold a licence, while keeping out organized crime and unregulated cannabis off the legal market.

Effective May 21, 2026, applicants must complete a Cannabis Screening Form and provide a Police Information Check (PIC) or a Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) when applying for:

• a new cannabis licence
• a licence transfer as the new owner
• approval as a new shareholder of 10% or more voting shares
• approval as a new director/officer of a society or public corporation.

Applications that present potential risks will be referred for a comprehensive fit and proper investigation. Potential risks include significant criminal history, possible organized crime associations, or other concerning indicators identified by the LCRB, including police information that warrants deeper scrutiny. These investigations will involve enhanced security screening and a thorough financial integrity review.

Applications submitted before May 21, 2026 will undergo security screening and financial integrity checks using processes in place at the time of the application.

Cannabis Marketing licence applicants go through security screening but are excluded from financial integrity checks. 

On this page:

• What is a fit and proper assessment?
• Fit and proper screening
• Criminal and police record screening

What is a fit and proper assessment?

There are two components in the fit and proper assessment:

1. Security screening
2. Financial integrity checks may be conducted, including
   • Their business
   • Sources of all investment money 

Security screenings and financial integrity checks may also assess an applicant’s associates. 

An associate means a person who:

• May have direct or indirect influence over the applicant 
• May affect the activities carried out under the proposed licence
• Has a connection to an associate of the applicant.

This can include:

• Investors
• Family members

Fit and proper screening

In addition to the below individuals, screening may be required for those not listed who are associates of the applicant or persons connected to an associate. The following people require screening:

Criminal and police record screening

Every applicant’s circumstances are unique. For this reason, a criminal record is reviewed on a case-by-case basis with all available information considered. Criminal and police record screening manages risks to public safety and gives all applicants a fair assessment.

Operation of illicit cannabis stores

Applicants who are operating or have operated an illicit cannabis store must disclose this information to the LCRB in their application.

This information won’t automatically disqualify an applicant, but the operation of an illegal cannabis store may cause the LCRB to determine an applicant is not fit and proper.

When determining if an applicant is fit and proper, the LCRB considers:

• Any enforcement history or education sessions with the Community Safety Unit
• The history of the illegal cannabis store

Receiving cannabis related permits or licences from a local government or Indigenous Nation does not guarantee an applicant will receive a provincial retail store licence under the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act.