Government is continuing to support cannabis workers and provide greater flexibility in the legal non-medical cannabis industry.

The requirement that cannabis retail stores be enclosed by non-transparent walls has been removed, and a new mandatory online responsible-service training program, Selling it Right, has been introduced.

“These changes underline our government’s efforts to be flexible in the rules governing the legal cannabis industry as we gather more experience in a regulated market,” said David Eby, Attorney General. “These changes will help employees feel safer while at work and ensure cannabis workers will be thoroughly trained to be safe, smart and socially responsible in their jobs.”

In response to licensee and local government feedback, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is amending regulations to remove the requirement that stores be enclosed by non-transparent walls. Instead, the branch will require that non-medical cannabis products, packages and labelling cannot be seen from outside the store.

This will allow licensees to configure their stores in ways that protect minors from exposure to cannabis products and address concerns regarding employee safety, while also meeting the requirements in the federal Cannabis Act.

In addition, the LCRB will require non-medical cannabis retail licensees, marketing licensees and workers who sell or supervise the sale of non-medical cannabis in either private cannabis retail or government cannabis stores, to complete the new Selling It Right mandatory training program. The program is designed to educate employers and employees on the effects of cannabis, how to recognize signs of intoxication, how to handle situations requiring intervention and how to understand their full responsibilities under the law. It was modelled after Serving it Right, the Province’s responsible liquor sales and service program.

The course can be completed online for a fee of $35 plus GST, and certification is valid for two years after completion. Existing licensees and staff will have until Sept. 30, 2020, to complete the training before the regulation comes into force. New cannabis retail store licensees, marketing licence applicants, retail and government cannabis store sales staff and supervisors must earn certification prior to operating a store, working in a store or being issued a marketing licence.

“Our government is committed to supporting the development of a robust, diverse and sustainable cannabis industry in B.C. that prioritizes health and safety of both workers and the public,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “From the start, we’ve expected the regulatory approach to evolve as the cannabis sector emerged and these changes are examples of that evolution.”

Learn More:

View the LCRB policy directive here:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/liquor-regulation-licensing/liquor-law-policy/liquor-policy-directives

Visit the Selling it Right homepage here: https://www.responsibleservicebc.gov.bc.ca/