Calgary councillor wants to allow cannabis to be sold at adult-only events​on February 6, 2025 at 10:12 pm

A Calgary city councillor said she wants the city to align its policies with provincial rules to enable the sale of cannabis at minor-prohibited events.

Ward 11 Coun. Kourtney Penner said she will present a notice of motion at Tuesday’s executive committee meeting that asks administration to propose bylaw and business licence amendments to allow for cannabis to be sold at adult-only events.

While cannabis sales are regulated through Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), Penner said her motion is about helping “level the playing field” between alcohol and cannabis, which she notes are both legal substances.

“If we look at alcohol sales, you can sell alcohol on site and consume on site,” she said. “That rule doesn’t exist for cannabis. For cannabis, you can’t bring your own but you’re allowed to purchase from a designated retailer who then has to walk through the site and bring it to you.”

She said there are many examples of adult-only events in Calgary where cannabis sales aren’t allowed, even though cannabis users have asked for it. She cited the Badlands Music Festival during Stampede, Chasing Summer Festival and the outdoor comedy festival at Prince’s Island Park.

“I think the irony (of me bringing this forward) is that these are not events I attend, nor do I use cannabis,” Penner said. “But this is really about enabling business and creating opportunities for businesses that are legally permissible.”

The Alberta government amended cannabis legislation in 2023 to enable retailers to operate temporary sales locations at adult-only events, such as trade shows and festivals, according to Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis.

Allowing cannabis consumption at events is at the discretion of organizers, the commission said, but also must be approved by the municipality and must comply with municipal and provincial requirements.

“AGLC and the Government of Alberta are focused on reducing red tape and making it easier for Alberta’s cannabis industry to innovate and do business,” communications manager Karin Campbell said in a statement. She added that AGLC does not issue a licence for cannabis consumption.

The Calgary-based owner of a cannabis tourism company said he supports Penner’s proposal, but noted it would only solve one “sub-issue” within a continued lack of governmental support for the industry.

“This is one roadblock she’s unplugging, but there are multiple of these,” said Dave Dormer, the owner of Cannanaskis, which provides cannabis history tours in Banff and Kananaskis Country.