If you want to market cannabis products to private non-medical cannabis retailers or BC Cannabis Stores, you’ll need a cannabis marketing license. Cannabis marketing licenses are used by “agents” of cannabis producers.
A marketing license allows agents to promote the products of licensed federal cannabis producers to BC non-medical retail cannabis stores and adults over the age of 19.
Cannabis marketing licenses are overseen by the BC Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB). You can find further detailed information about cannabis licenses and cannabis license applications at the BC government’s Cannabis Licensing website.
To be eligible, you must:
Applicants do not have to reside in BC or Canada or be a BC or Canadian citizen. BC non-medical cannabis store licensees and applicants are not eligible to apply for a BCcannabis marketing license.
Cannabis marketing licensees and their employees must comply with:
Cannabis marketing licensees may hire employees to act as cannabis marketing representatives. It’s the licensee’s responsibility to ensure their employees comply with all applicable laws, and the license terms and conditions.
A licensee’s employees don’t have to apply for a separate marketing license, nor are they required to obtain security clearance, however, the marketing license number must be printed on employee identification, which must be provided by the licensee.
Licensees must also have letters of authorization from licensed federal cannabis producers they represent.
A licensee can conduct market research in a space closed to the general public (e.g. office, meeting room, hotel), if:
Cannabis marketing licensees may not:
A cannabis marketing license must be renewed each year and when the licensee makes changes to the information they provided when they applied. Some changes require prior approval from the LCRB, while others must be reported within 10 days of the change being made. Consult the handbook for more information.
The Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors team of cannabis license consultants help federally licensed cannabis producers and cannabis marketing agents get the most of their respective cannabis licenses. We roll up our sleeves and do the hard work for you. If you’re wondering how best to promote your product within BC’s strict government guidelines, we can help you craft easy-to-implement, effective retail cannabis marketing strategies.