Liquor and cannabis seizures

In the context of liquor and cannabis licensing, a seizure occurs when Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) compliance and enforcement inspector(s) confiscate any relevant evidence (generally liquor or cannabis) found in connection with a contravention of the applicable legislation, regulations and terms and conditions.

On this page:

Liquor seizures

Under B.C. law, liquor can be seized where there has been a contravention of the applicable law. 

Peace officers and LCRB inspectors can seize liquor.

Reasons for a liquor seizure

From businesses or establishments

LCRB inspectors may seize liquor if

  • Licensees or permittees didn't buy the liquor from the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) or a designated outlet
    • Licensees or permittees need to provide a receipt from the LDB or a designated outlet, such as a licensed manufacturer
  • Licensees or permittees don't have a valid liquor licence and are selling liquor
    • In this case, only peace officers have the authority to seize liquor

From individuals

LCRB inspectors may seize liquor from individuals for a number of reasons, some examples include:

  • You have open liquor in a public place
  • You are selling liquor in a public place
  • You are intoxicated
  • You are driving with an open liquor bottle in the vehicle, where it is accessible to the driver or to passengers

If your liquor is seized

Liquor seized by LCRB inspectors is either destroyed or kept in storage. If your liquor is destroyed, and it is found out later that the seizure was unlawful, you will be compensated for the loss.

If you had liquor seized by the LCRB and want it returned or want compensation for destroyed liquor,

Liquor return and compensation

Application guidelines

  • You have 30 days to apply to the general manager of the LCRB for return or compensation of seized liquor
    • The 30 days starts from the time your liquor was seized
  • Under section 47(2) of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, to be successful, your claim must show, to the satisfaction of the general manager,
    • that you were legally entitled to have the seized liquor in your possession

Compensation rates

For commercially manufactured liquor

  • The lower retail price as described under the Liquor Distribution Act, and set by the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB), or
  • The replacement value if there is no set retail price, or
  • The actual price paid for the liquor as evidenced by a receipt

For liquor not manufactured commercially (UBrew and UVin)

  • The lower retail price of the ingredients used to manufacture the liquor, or
  • The actual price paid for those ingredients as evidenced by a receipt

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an application for the return of seized liquor or by writing a letter.

By application form

General Manager, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch
PO Box 9292 Stn Provincial Govt
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9J8

By letter

  • Write a letter explaining why your liquor should be returned or why you should be compensated for the seized and destroyed liquor
    • The letter must have the same information as required in the application form
  • Mail the letter to

General Manager, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch
PO Box 9292 Stn Provincial Govt
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9J8

Cannabis seizures

Under B.C. law, cannabis can be seized where there has been a contravention of the applicable law. 

Peace officers and Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) inspectors can seize cannabis from licensed or authorized cannabis retail stores.

  • For unlicensed or unauthorized establishments, officers from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Community Safety Unit (CSU) also have this authority

Reasons for a cannabis seizure

From a licensed or authorized cannabis retail store

LCRB inspectors may seize cannabis from a licensed or authorized cannabis retail store for a number of reasons, including:

  • If you have not bought the cannabis through the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB)
    • You need to provide a receipt for all products inside the licensed or authorized location

From a unlicensed or unauthorized cannabis retail store

CSU inspectors may seize cannabis from unlicensed or unauthorized retailers or persons who possess the cannabis in violation of the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act.

From individuals

For rules about cannabis seizures from individuals, visit

If your cannabis is seized 

By the LCRB from a licensed or authorized cannabis retail store

  • The cannabis will either be destroyed or kept in storage

If your cannabis is destroyed and it is found out later that the seizure was unlawful, you will be compensated for the loss.

You need to apply if you want to have your cannabis returned or want compensation for destroyed cannabis.

By the CSU from an unlicensed or unauthorized cannabis retail store

  • The cannabis will either be destroyed or kept in storage

Find out more about the seizure process from an unlicensed or unauthorized cannabis retail store by visiting Community Safety Unit

Cannabis return and compensation

Application guidelines

  • You have 30 days to apply to the general manager of the LCRB to have your cannabis returned or want compensation for destroyed cannabis.

    • The 30 days starts from the time your cannabis was seized

  • Under section 105 of the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act (CCLA), to have the cannabis returned or to received compensation, you must show, to the satisfaction of the general manager,
    • That you were legally entitled to possess the cannabis that was seized

If there has been a violation ticket issued, a contravention notice, or a charge laid under the CCLA

  • Your cannabis may not be destroyed until these proceedings are complete

Compensation rates

If the cannabis seized by LCRB inspectors has been destroyed, the compensation is based on the purchase price of the seized cannabis.

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an application for the return of seized cannabis or by writing a letter.

By application form

General Manager, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch
PO Box 9292 Stn Provincial Govt
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9J8

By letter

  • Write a letter explaining why your cannabis should be returned, or why you should be compensated
    • The letter must contain the same details as required by the application form
  • Mail the letter to

General Manager, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch
PO Box 9292 Stn Provincial Govt
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9J8

For more information about claiming seized liquor or cannabis, contact the LCRB.