The Province is seeking local government feedback to inform its review of the BC licence cap policy, which pertains to the number of private cannabis store licences that any company, person, or group of persons can have an interest in. Local governments interested in providing input are asked to do so by September 15, 2023.
Currently, the cannabis regulatory framework limits the number of private cannabis store licenses any company, person, or group of persons can have an interest in to a maximum of eight. This is called a “licence cap.” Section 6 of the Cannabis Licensing Regulation outlines the eight-store licence cap. There is no limit on the total number of cannabis retail store licenses that can be issued in BC.
The Province has advised that this review will not include any proposed changes to the current local and Indigenous government oversight framework. Potential changes to the licence cap (e.g. increases, decreases) will not affect any existing or future controls within Indigenous or local government jurisdiction, including the ability to provide a positive recommendation for new and amended cannabis retail licences in their jurisdiction.
To inform the review, the Province is seeking more information about:
- Whether local governments have any comments or feedback about the current provincial licence cap policy?
- If local governments feel the licence cap should be changed? Why or why not? If yes, what should the cap be changed to?
More information on BC’s cannabis framework can be found on the Province’s website.
Feedback can be sent to the Province with the subject line, “Licence Cap Review” by September 15, 2023.