Alberta’s cannabis regulator is walking back a recent rule change for cannabis sampling, saying some of the messaging in an industry memo was incorrect.

A memo that was sent out to cannabis companies on Friday, October 18, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) that said cannabis sampling could only take place in retail cannabis stores. The agency now says that parts of that memo were not accurate and sampling activities can still be conducted in age gated settings like industry events, not only retail stores.  

The previous memo, the provincial agency now says, was only intended to serve as a reminder of existing policy.

“There was an error in the memo that went out on October 18,” a media representative for AGLC said in an email to StratCann. “AGLC apologizes for the confusion and any frustration this may have caused. An updated letter was sent today to clarify that policy has not changed and update the information that was shared with cannabis licensees.”

“The previous letter incorrectly stated that samples may only be provided in retail cannabis stores. The updated letter clarifies that policy does allow cannabis representatives and retail cannabis store licensees to promote cannabis products and accessories in places where persons under the age of 18 are prohibited. This provision allows for cannabis representatives to provide cannabis licensees samples at locations where minors are prohibited such as an industry event. The intent of the letter was to remind cannabis licensees that samples cannot be provided or sold to the public.”

Responding to concerns expressed in a StratCann article earlier this week, a new memo to industry, AGLC also notes that a “cannabis licensee” who is authorized to receive a cannabis sample can include those representing and acting on behalf of a licensee, such as a store manager.

This is not the first time such messaging had to be walked back by the agency. In September 2023, the AGLC reversed course after a policy change to delist products containing CBN was said to be based on a misinterpretation of federal messaging.

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