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Victoria rejects reduced cannabis store staffing

Published on May 16, 2025 by Pat Bulmer

Photo: Adobe Stock/the oz.

Having at least two employees on duty at all times will continue to be a requirement for Victoria cannabis stores.

A motion to review staffing regulations was rejected soundly by city council.

Objections from UFCW 1518, which represents a majority of the city’s cannabis workers, turned the tide in the meeting.

The union said removing the two-employee rule would weaken worker safety standards.

The union also asked council to make sure the union and workers would be consulted if the review went ahead.

“We know how labour feels about this. In fact, one of the comments I received is this is arguably a race to the bottom on worker protections,” said Coun. Susan Kim. “I feel those of us who received the Victoria Labour Council endorsement should take this very seriously.”

Councillors were also concerned about how much staff time would be taken up by a review.

In the end, even the motion’s two sponsors voted to defeat the idea.

In their motion, councillors Jeremy Caradonna and Matt Dell wrote: “In recent years, retail cannabis stores have struggled financially and some in the greater Victoria area have closed. The initial public safety concerns have not materialized, and the stores are generally not magnets for criminality or disorder, raising questions about the continued necessity of the ‘two employees’ rule, which can drive up costs for small-business owners.”

Only Coun. Chris Colemen supported the motion: “All this really does is ask for a report back. We’re not changing any legislation at the moment.”

In 2016, Victoria implemented cannabis business regulations that required two staff members to be working at all times. In 2022, the regulations were moved into the business licence bylaw, where they will remain.