Private retail part of B.C. regime
Adult recreational marijuana users in British Columbia, will be able to buy cannabis from private retailers, in urban centres, and in government- run stores across the province, the B.C. government announced on Monday.
The B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch ( LDB) is opening “a new stand- alone network of public retail stores,” and will manage online sales. In urban areas, private stores will be allowed, although their retail activity will be limited.
“Licensed retailers will not be able to sell cannabis in the same stores as liquor or tobacco,” according to a government news release. Private cannabis retailers also won’t be allowed to sell other products like food, gas, clothing and lottery tickets.
There is no cap on the total number of private retail licenses the government intends to issue. However, the province will not license retailers without support from local governments, which, according to the release, “will have the authority to make local decisions, based on the needs of their communities.”
For rural communities, it appears that the government will mostly rely on LDB stores, although the rules remain slightly unclear. According to the press release, “the B.C. government … will establish exceptions for rural non- medical cannabis retail stores, similar to those of rural liquor stores. The criteria for determining these rural areas are currently under development.”
Along with the cannabis retail regulations, the government also announced rules for cannabis use following recreational legalization.
Adults, over the age of 19, will be able to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis in a public place. Smoking will be allowed “in public spaces where tobacco smoking and vaping are permitted,” although not in places frequented by children “including community beaches, parks and playgrounds.”
“Local governments will be able to set additional restrictions, as they do now for tobacco use. In addition, landlords and strata councils will be able to restrict or prohibit non- medical cannabis smoking and vaping at tenanted and strata properties,” the government said.
No cannabis use in vehicles will be allowed, and marijuana will have to be in a sealed package, or “inaccessible to vehicle occupants,” when it’s being transported. The province announced that it was creating a 90-day driving prohibition for drugaffected driving, and will have a zero-tolerance cannabis policy for people learning to drive.
People will be allowed to grow up to four cannabis plants per household, although the plants cannot be visible “from public spaces off the property.” Landlords and strata councils will be allowed to prohibit home growing.