Summer Compliance Refresher Training a Must for Retail Cannabis Licensees in BC
June 16, 2026
Summer Compliance Refresher Training for BC Liquor Licensees
June 26, 2026
The BC Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch announced in bulletin 26-02, the introduction of a risk-based approach to security screening for all new cannabis license applications.
The change, which applies to all new Cannabis Retail Store and Producer Retail Store license applications, became effective on May 21, 2026.
New Baseline Security Screening Policy
- Applies to all new cannabis license applicants (CRS and PRS)
- Includes completion of the Cannabis Screening Form and submission of Police Information Check (PIC) or Criminal Records Check and Judicial Matters Check
- Applies to all new applications, when adding or changing associates, or when an associate is identified who may influence the applicant or licensee
Rationale given for the change includes:
- Alignment of cannabis application screening with the liquor licensing model
- Identification of higher risk applications
- Reduction of unnecessary delays for low-risk applications
- More efficient use of investigative resources
- Reduction of cannabis license application processing time
- Maintain public safety and market integrity
During the cannabis license application process, the new security screening standards will help identify higher-risk applicants without impacting the processing times for other applicants. Only those applicants who have been identified as presenting a higher risk will be referred for further investigation.
Please refer to LCRB Bulletin 26-02 for details.
Cannabis License Applications are Easier Than You Think with Thrive
Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors offers new and existing retail cannabis businesses comprehensive licensing and operational support. Our services include cannabis license applications and changes, retail strategy and compliance audits. We work with retail cannabis businesses in western Canada and Ontario.
