Calgary City Council voted 8-6 in favour of a motion to have city staff align the city’s bylaws to allow a permitting process and festival applications to allow for the sale of cannabis at minors-prohibited events.

The notice of motion was brought to council by councillor Kourtney Penner, who told councillors the goal was not to promote cannabis use but to align the city’s bylaws with provincial regulations. This is similar to changes made by Edmonton.

In 2024, Alberta began allowing cannabis retailers to apply for a licence extension for the purposes of selling cannabis at a minors-prohibited entertainment event or cannabis industry trade show. Municipalities must also sign on to the change, which Edmonton did last year. 

“What this is is creating a legal business process that is in line with legislation from the provincial government,” Councillor Penner told her fellow councillors before today’s vote. “What is already happening is cannabis is being consumed at 18 plus, adult-only festivals and events.” 

“What this isn’t is creating an open and permissive environment to use cannabis at those festivals. We already have regulation that defines where it can be used. So it’s not about a puff of smoke or a waft of smoke that you’re walking through. It is simply about creating a safer environment for sales on sites, just as we create a safe sales environment for alcohol. This is a legal substance where adults are making adult choices on what they choose to consume.”

“This is really about [regulation] and policy and not about the judgement we should be passing on people for what they choose to do as adults,” she added.

Councillors Mclean, Wyness, Dhaliwal, Chu, Sharp, and Chabot voted against the motion.   

City staff will now need to bring such proposed changes back to council for consideration at a future date.

Currently, ​​cannabis sales at events in Calgary must be made through an order-and-delivery method. In 2024, a Calgary cannabis retailer hosted a cannabis consumption space at the Badlands Music Festival, which included the ability to buy cannabis. Festival-goes could place an order on the retailer’s website, and the product would be delivered to the festival’s cannabis garden.

Related Articles

Edmonton Fringe Fest gets cannabis consumption space

August 22, 2024

Calgary city councillor wants to allow cannabis sales at events in the city

February 6, 2025

Cannabis consumption space at Calgary music festival grows into its third year

July 8, 2024