Cannabis Retail Sales

The BC Provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (formerly the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch) is responsible for licensing private non-medical cannabis retail stores. Any Kamloops private cannabis retail application must be reviewed first by this provincial authority, before being referred by the Province to the City of Kamloops.

Division of Responsibilities

The federal Cannabis Act (Bill C-45) received Royal Assent on June 21, 2018, which set the stage for the production, distribution, sale, possession, and consumption of non-medical cannabis beginning on October 17, 2018.
The federal government is responsible for licensing and monitoring cannabis producers and for setting industry-wide rules and standards for the cultivation, processing, packaging, and advertising of non-medical cannabis.
Provinces and territories control the distribution and retail sales of non-medical cannabis within their jurisdictions. The BC provincial government has appointed the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) to be the exclusive wholesale distributor of non-medical cannabis, while retail sales will be offered to the public through a combination of government and private owned stores as well as online through the government site.
For more information, visit the provincial cannabis retail sales webpage.
Municipal governments can regulate retail locations through their zoning authority and some aspects of retail operations through their business licensing authority. Municipal governments may also support the federal and provincial governments with public education and the enforcement of cannabis rules and regulations.
In alignment with federal and provincial regulations, the City of Kamloops amended its Business Licence and Regulations Bylaw and Zoning Bylaw. There are four zones in which non-medical cannabis retail stores may be located. View the report that was provided to Council in April 2018.

Private Retail Sales in Kamloops

An Application Guide on the private cannabis retail process in Kamloops is available.
Additional information is available on the following provincial web pages:
- www.bcldbcannabisupdates.com
- www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/liquor-regulation-licensing/cannabis-regulation
View the locations of non-medical cannabis retail stores on the Kamloops Non-medical Cannabis Retail Locations interactive map.*
*This map is for information only. The locations noted on this map are either approved to be in operation or in the application stage. The locations are based on property addressing and are not to be used to determine proximity requirements as required by the City of Kamloops Zoning. The map is updated within 48 hours of the City of Kamloops receives and processing a Retail Cannabis application.
All inquires can be directed to the Business Licence Inspector at 250-828-3594.

Cannabis Retail Sales (last updated January 17, 2023)

Are there limitations on public consumption of cannabis in Kamloops?

Public consumption of cannabis in Kamloops is limited by:

Provincial legislation, which prohibits cannabis smoking everywhere that tobacco smoking is prohibited and everywhere that children commonly gather (playgrounds, sports fields, skate parks, etc.)
The City’s Parks Regulation Bylaw, which prohibits cannabis smoking and vaping in all parks and City facilities
The City’s Clean Indoor Air Bylaw, which prohibits cannabis smoking and vaping within a 7 m buffer zone of all public entrances to buildings
Public intoxication is prohibited, as is the sale of cannabis to those intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.

How do cannabis retail stores obtain their product?

In BC, all non-medical cannabis products are distributed through the BC Liquor Distribution Branch. As with alcohol sales, retail businesses are not be permitted to grow their own product or source it from a third party.

What are the fees for a Business Licence related to retail cannabis sales in Kamloops?

Fees include a $1,600 application fee for a Retail Cannabis Sales Licence Permit and Existing Licence Amendment and a $196.40 annual Business Licence Fee.

Where are private citizens able to grow their own cannabis within the city?

Individuals aged 19 years and older are able to grow cannabis at home for personal use, but not for resale. A maximum of four plants per household is permitted by federal and provincial law. Plants must not be visible from a public place. Landlords and strata councils are authorized to restrict or prohibit non-medical cannabis cultivation.

Where can I find more cannabis-related FAQs?

Where in Kamloops is a retail cannabis store able to be located?

There are four zones in which non-medical cannabis retail stores may be located. These zones are identified in the Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 5-1-2878.

Wood Stove Rebate Programs

Snow Clearing

Related Contacts

Related Pages