Cannabis Events in Alberta: Opportunities for Positive Use

Since its legalization in 2018, cannabis has been increasingly explored for its therapeutic potential and the research has been promising, though still developing. Studies have shown that cannabis-based treatments can offer relief for a number of conditions, including chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and muscle spasticity related to multiple sclerosis (1). There’s also emerging evidence supporting its use in managing sleep disorders, anxiety, and certain forms of epilepsy (2). While many patients and clinicians are reporting positive outcomes, the research isn’t without its gaps. Clinical trials vary in quality, and there’s still a lot we don’t know about long-term effects, ideal dosing, and how cannabinoids interact with other medications. Public health institutions have called for more high-quality studies, especially in areas like mental health and addiction, where findings are still mixed (3).

Even so, cannabis has started to take a more serious seat at the table when it comes to healthcare planning, particularly in cases where conventional treatments have fallen short. It’s no longer just an alternative option; for some, it’s become a key part of symptom management and overall quality of life (4).

Despite its wide range of potential therapeutic uses, public health remains the federal government’s core concern when it comes to cannabis, particularly its relationship to mental health and youth use. That said, the government has also expressed concern about cannabis’s economic, environmental, and social impacts.

The Cannabis Act came into effect on October 17, 2018, to regulate the production, distribution, sale, and possession of cannabis across Canada. Its primary objectives are to protect public health and safety, keep cannabis out of the hands of youth, and prevent profits from reaching criminal organizations. While the Act has undergone a formal review, many critics argue the process maintained the status quo, largely by excluding industry voices and overemphasizing public health while underrepresenting innovation, economic realities, and consumer accessibility (5; 6).

Some provinces, however, are beginning to trend in a more progressive direction. Following Alberta’s 2023 provincial election, Premier Danielle Smith’s government prioritized modernizing service delivery across sectors. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) was transferred to the Ministry of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, a department tasked with eliminating outdated or burdensome regulations (7).

This restructuring is signalling that cannabis in Alberta is gradually starting to treat cannabis as a legitimate industry, aligning itself with the UCP government’s goal to support emerging sectors through streamlining regulation.

Alberta’s most notable reforms in cannabis legislation include:

1. Legalization of temporary cannabis retail at adult-only events like festivals and trade shows (effective January 2024),

2. Regulatory updates that allow for cannabis sampling, more flexible product storage, inventory transfers, and product destruction, and

3. Policy reforms that followed direct industry advocacy, particularly from Diplomat Consulting (7).

The loosening of cannabis regulations in Alberta has laid the foundation for the growth of cannabis expos, conferences, and consumer-facing events such as Alberta’s first legal cannabis garden held at Edmonton’s Fringe Festival (8). This trend is encouraging, not just for the industry, but for the province’s cultural and economic landscape. 

These events create space for public dialogue around cannabis education, research, and harm reduction, while also helping shift consumers toward legal, regulated products. These events often prohibit alcohol consumption, helping reinforce the government’s position on the separation of cannabis and alcohol in public settings. For policymakers, they also serve as valuable pilot projects to test cannabis regulations and gather public feedback before broader implementation. 

That being said, event organizers still need to jump through a hefty amount of regulatory red tape provided by provincial legislation and regulatory bodies and municipal bylaws surrounding public spaces, public consumption of cannabis, and business licensing (9, 10, 11, 12). Under the GLCA, the AGLC has the authority to create and enforce policies that licensees must adhere to. Beyond what we could consider as guidelines; they are enforceable conditions of the licenses issued and this poses a major challenge for business owners. For instance, the Retail Cannabis Store Handbook outlines specific requirements for retail cannabis operations, including aspects like advertising restrictions, store layout, and security measures (13). So, while the Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Regulation (GLCR) provides the framework, licensees must navigate the rules put in place by the AGLC (14 & 15). 

For more information on Cannabis Event Approval in Alberta, see: Cannabis Event Approval Overview

There are still ways to go until I can confidently say that Alberta really does provide a streamlined regulatory runway for business owners. Other provinces seem to be getting it right. There are plenty of notable examples of cannabis events hosted in British Columbia (16, 17, 18). 

While it might be wishful thinking to completely emulate the cannabis policies of Alberta’s next door neighbor, looking at how BC approaches cannabis events offers some valuable insight into what Alberta could adopt to better support safe and responsible cannabis event planning. In B.C., the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) provides a more tailored regulatory framework, allowing licensed cannabis retailers to participate in public events through structured permissions and partnerships with municipalities (20). While public consumption remains restricted under provincial law, municipalities are empowered to approve designated cannabis consumption areas where appropriate, giving event organizers clearer pathways to compliance (21). Alberta, by contrast, is still in the early stages of navigating this space. As of January 31, 2024, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) introduced a policy allowing licensed retailers to apply for temporary extensions to operate at age-restricted events (19). While this is a step forward, many of the rules guiding retail participation, marketing, and public consumption are still based on legacy models designed around alcohol regulation. One major source of unpredictability for event organizers stems from the discretionary authority granted to the AGLC. For example, under its cannabis retail policies, the AGLC can deny licenses or approvals based not only on legal compliance, but also on subjective factors like perceived integrity, reputational concerns, or potential for adverse publicity. It leaves broad and flexible interpretation to the AGLC officials and no guarantee of event approval for businesses who are crossing their Ts and dotting their Is. (23; 24).

If Alberta is looking to modernize its approach, introducing a dedicated cannabis event licensing stream, and pairing it with clear guidelines and expanding municipal discretion could help streamline the process. Taking cues from B.C.’s more flexible structure could serve as a step forward in reducing regulatory uncertainty and encourage a collaborative model that prioritizes education, harm reduction, and community engagement. 

Sources: 

1. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2017). The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: The current state of evidence and recommendations for research. NCBI

2. Devinsky, O. et al. (2018). Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. PubMed

3. Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. (2020). Cannabis Research in Canada: A Knowledge Needs Report. CCSA Report PDF

4. Whiting, P. et al. (2022). Cannabis-based medicines for chronic pain and spasticity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ

5. Expert Panel on the Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act. (2024). Final Report. Government of Canada.

6. Health Canada. (2023). “What We Heard Report” – Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act.

7. Diplomat Consulting. (2023). Alberta continues to focus on equality in the cannabis sector. https://diplomatconsulting.com/alberta-continues-to-focus-on-equality-in-the-cannabis-sector/

8. Positive Intent Events (PIE). (2024). Cannabis Garden at the Edmonton Fringe Festival. https://pievents.ca 

9. Government of Alberta. (n.d.). Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act. https://open.alberta.ca/publications/g01?utm_source

10. Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. (n.d.). Cannabis legislation and policies. https://aglc.ca/cannabis/cannabis-legislation-and-policies?utm_source

11. City of Edmonton. (n.d.). Public Places Bylaw 14614. https://www.edmonton.ca/public-files/assets/document?path=Bylaws%2FC14614.pdf&utm_source

12. City of Edmonton. (n.d.). Cannabis rules and regulations. https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/cannabis-rules?utm_source

13. Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. (n.d.). Retail cannabis store handbook (Archived). https://aglc.ca/documents/retail-cannabis-store-handbook?utm_

14. Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. (2024). Retail cannabis store handbook. https://aglc.ca/sites/aglc.ca/files/2024-05/24-05-31%20RCS%20Handbook.pdf

15. Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. (n.d.). Cannabis representative handbook. https://aglc.ca/sites/aglc.ca/files/2020-01/Cannabis_Representative_Handbook.pdf

16. Grow Up Conference. (n.d.). Grow Up Victoria 2024. https://growupconference.com/victoria/?utm_

17. Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia. (n.d.). SPARK BC Liquor & Cannabis Conference. https://tiabc.ca/event/spark-bc-liquor-cannabis-conference/?utm_

18. Summer Sesh. (n.d.). Summer Sesh presented by CCABC and LRCCBC. https://fannatickets.com/event/summer-sesh-presented-by-ccabc-and-lrccbc-at-lipont-place-richmond-bc-243/register?utm_

19. Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. (2024). Cannabis Bulletin – January 31, 2024. https://aglc.ca/sites/aglc.ca/files/2024-01/Cannabis_Bulletin_Jan312024.pdf

20. Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch – Marketing and Advertising Policy. https://justice.gov.bc.ca/cannabislicensing/policy-document/marketing-and-advertising-policy

21. Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). Special event permit policy. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/liquor-regulation-licensing/event-permits/special-event-permit

22. MJBizDaily. (2024). Alberta cannabis retailers can now sell at special events. https://mjbizdaily.com/alberta-cannabis-retailers-can-now-sell-at-special-events/

23. Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. (n.d.). Retail cannabis store handbook. https://aglc.ca/sites/aglc.ca/files/2024-05/24-05-31%20RCS%20Handbook.pdf

24. Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. (n.d.). Cannabis representative handbook. https://aglc.ca/sites/aglc.ca/files/2020-01/Cannabis_Representative_Handbook.pdf