Opinions split on potential cannabis consumption spaces in B.C.

An advocate for expanding the scope of cannabis production and availability in British Columbia says the provincial government continues to drag its feet and is squandering opportunities more than four years on from legalization.

Meanwhile, the government said public health and safety is its top priority.

David Hurford, the secretary of the BC Craft Farmers Co-Op, was reacting to the release of data from a government survey conducted in the spring of 2022 on the idea of permitting cannabis consumption spaces. No decisions have yet been made.

A cannabis consumption space would include things like a cannabis lounge, a special event or other establishment that has cannabis for sale and use on-site.

“This is an important issue and we’ve been waiting ten months for this,” a frustrated Hurford told Kelowna10.

While his organization is primarily focused on getting increased access to the market for small cultivators, processors and independent retailers, including at the farmgate, Hurford said it’s unfortunate the government has not yet come to a conclusion that consumption spaces are, as he puts it, a good idea.

“We’ve probably lost another tourism season … I don’t know how much longer we’ll have to wait,” he said.

He expressed his disappointment that B.C. is falling behind other provinces who are making strides on allowing spaces for cannabis consumption at special events.

“This is an industry that’s as big as the film industry in British Columbia," Hurford explained. “The government still doesn’t seem to get this is a huge opportunity for jobs and economic development, particularly in rural and mid-size communities like the Okanagan.”

Public opinion appears split

The survey's results appear split between those who use cannabis and those who don’t.

The government will use the data as part of its process of determining if such spaces should be allowed and how they’d be regulated.

The survey had over 15,000 people respond online and over 700 people were randomly spoken to by phone.

Interior Healththe highest percentage of telephone survey respondents who reported using cannabis, at 35.2 per cent. Island Health was next at 33.8 per cent, and Vancouver Coastal at 29.8 per cent.

Most people who use cannabis were in support, as were cannabis retailers, producers, and industry associations who provided written submissions.

On the other hand, individuals and public health and safety stakeholders were most concerned about co-location of alcohol and cannabis (e.g., cannabis and alcohol sales at the same location), and potential increased risk of people driving impaired.

Written submissions also allowed respondents to provide feedback on behalf of a group (e.g., organizations, municipalities) and share their subject matter expertise (e.g., road safety).

Interior Health had the highest percentage of telephone survey respondents who reported using cannabis, at 35.2 per cent. Island Health was next at 33.8 per cent, and Vancouver Coastal at 29.8 per cent.

The percentage of online survey respondents who report using cannabis was also highest in Interior Health at 64.3 per cent. Island Health and Northern Health followed at 57.4 and 55.7 per cent respectively .

Is government slowness perpetuating stigma?

The province has made no decisions regarding consumption spaces, but in a statement Tuesday, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said health and safety are utmost priorities as the government considers how provincial cannabis policies could evolve.

"This report provides valuable insights into people in B.C.'s perspectives on cannabis and will help guide our work to support a strong, diverse and safe legal cannabis sector across the Province," he said.

Meanwhile, for proponents like Hurford, he’s concerned the government’s slow movement on the file is hindering the industry’s hopes of becoming more mainstream, like alcohol consumption.

“By creating a lot of special and extra rules for cannabis the government is perpetuating the stigma," he said.

"When you compare the effects of cannabis compared to alcohol use… it just seems to me that it’s highly over-regulated. And I think the public is ahead of the government on this and I think some of the survey data shows that.”