logo
AGLC Announces Cannabis Welcome at Alberta Concerts and Festivals

AGLC Announces Cannabis Welcome at Alberta Concerts and Festivals

Cision Canada17-07-2025
Plantlife Cannabis Poised for a Busy Summer
EDMONTON, AB, July 17, 2025 /CNW/ - In another nationwide first, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) is expanding cannabis access at public events. Already the first and only province in Canada to permit cannabis sales at 18+ events, cannabis will soon be available at most concerts and festivals.
"We see this as a natural evolution of where cannabis retail is headed," said Ian Scott, VP Operations, Plantlife Cannabis. "Festivals bring together a wide range of Albertans — and by operating in designated 18+ zones with transparency, education, and full compliance, we're showing how cannabis can responsibly exist in the same spaces as beer gardens or food trucks. We're proud to be leading this shift."
What the New Policy Means
"Effective immediately, cannabis store licensees may apply to AGLC for an extension of their licence to temporarily sell cannabis at events and festivals where minors are permitted. Sales shall only occur in designated areas of the event or festival where minors are prohibited."
Until now, cannabis sales were restricted to adults-only (18+) events. Retailers could sell cannabis only with a temporary license extension from the AGLC, and sales could not occur within designated consumption areas.
Under the updated rules:
Cannabis may be sold at events where minors are present, if restricted to 18+ zones
Consumption areas remain separate and 18+ only
Only licensed Alberta retailers can apply for these special permits
This change opens the door for a more inclusive, regulated cannabis presence at Alberta's top music and cultural festivals.
Plantlife Cannabis, Alberta's fastest-growing cannabis retailer, is ready to meet the moment. With multiple major festivals on the summer calendar, Plantlife is positioned to be among the first to legally sell cannabis on-site under the new framework.
"This is a huge step for the normalization of cannabis in Alberta," said Marcie Kiziak, President of Retail, Plantlife Cannabis. "We've been preparing behind the scenes, and our team is ready to operate responsibly, visibly, and in full compliance at a new kind of cultural event."
Where Plantlife Is Showing Up This Summer
Branded Graphic
Plantlife will be present — and selling — at several major festivals under the new policy:
Rockin' Thunder – Edmonton – July 11–12
Cannabis was sold on-site in an 18+ zone; minors permitted elsewhere on festival grounds.
Country Thunder – Calgary – August 15–18
Cannabis sales on site in an 18+ zone; minors permitted elsewhere on festival grounds.
"We're proud to share that this past weekend's festival marked a successful step forward in integrating legalized cannabis into the live music experience. Our on-site cannabis sales were handled with the highest standards of compliance and responsibility, working closely with regulators to ensure a safe and seamless guest experience," said Gerry Krochak, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Rockin' Thunder and Country Thunder."The feedback from festival goers was overwhelmingly positive — guests appreciated the convenience and atmosphere, and we saw respectful, responsible enjoyment throughout the weekend. We're excited about the future of enhancing festival culture in a thoughtful and progressive way. We're also happy to have this partnership lined up for our Country Thunder event in Calgary this August."
"This was a historic moment — we're proud to be the first retailer in Canada to offer legal cannabis sales at an all-ages event. Through careful planning, designated consumption areas, and clear separation from minors, we demonstrated that cannabis can be safely and responsibly integrated into major live events. This sets a new benchmark for what's possible in the evolving entertainment and cannabis landscapes," said Scott.
Great Outdoors Comedy Festival – Edmonton – Adults Only
Returning for the second year as a trusted on-site cannabis vendor.
"We're proud to partner with Plantlife Cannabis as our on-site retail partner. Their commitment to education, compliance, and responsible consumption sets the standard for cannabis retail at live events. They've created a safe and welcoming experience that aligns perfectly with the values of the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival ," said Mike Anderson, President Trixstar Entertainment, Great Outdoors Comedy Festival
A First in Cannabis + Culture Integration
Plantlife's approach to festival retail includes:
Verified ID checks to enter retail zone extensions
Branded but compliant signage inside retail zones
Product education, not just transactions
Partnerships with event organizers for safety and access planning
"We're not just showing up to sell," said Scott. "We're there to educate, engage, and help cannabis feel like a normal, safe part of Alberta's cultural moment."
Media Access & Interviews
Press, content creators, and community partners are invited to:
Visit the Plantlife booth at The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival for exclusive behind-the-scenes access
Request interview from Plantlife team
Request high-res photos, branding, and team bios
Note on Compliance
All sales and promotional activity are conducted in alignment with the Cannabis Act and AGLC regulations. No cannabis is sold or consumed in the presence of minors. Branded materials are factual, non-glamorized, and focused on responsible access.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Albertans lead the country at saving money
Albertans lead the country at saving money

CTV News

timea day ago

  • CTV News

Albertans lead the country at saving money

A new study shows that Albertans save more cash than any other province in the country. A recent report has found that Albertans top the country for banking cash for the future. The Desjardins Report revealed that the average Albertan saved nearly nine per cent of their disposable income between 2020 and 2023 -- the highest in Canada and well above the national average of under four per cent. Two factors are credited. Albertans had the most cash on hand to spent per household, around $110,000. And affordability in the province was among the best in the country. 'Housing in Alberta is deeply affordable compared to the rest of the country,' said Randall Bartlett, Desjardin's deputy chief economist. 'Obviously it's become less affordable in recent years,' he added, 'but still much more affordable than other parts of the country, particularly the big provinces of Ontario and B.C.' Desjardins is predicting those high savings rats will continue, especially as Alberta's households are among the youngest in the country -- and that demographic is known to save more than older age groups.

Opinion: Looking west from Alberta has never been more precarious
Opinion: Looking west from Alberta has never been more precarious

Edmonton Journal

time5 days ago

  • Edmonton Journal

Opinion: Looking west from Alberta has never been more precarious

Article content It can be easy to think that nothing past the Rockies really matters to Albertans, but what's happening in British Columbia is deeply troubling. Government mismanagement of B.C.'s finances, economy and natural resources should be a warning to us all. Article content B.C. Premier David Eby has introduced economic and energy policies that are catastrophic for workers, families and businesses across his province. The provincial deficit for 2025 is at least $11 billion — and more likely to pass $15 billion, once Eby updates the numbers this fall. Article content Article content Article content Leading the parade of bad NDP ideas is Eby's CleanBC plan, which shows what happens when political ideology is placed ahead of common sense and economic reality. A recent ICBA Economics report delivered a shocking assessment, based on the B.C. government's own analysis: CleanBC will strip away $109.7 billion in economic activity from its economy by 2029 — more than 2.5 times the damage that U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war and Prime Minister Mark Carney's retaliatory trade barriers could inflict. Article content Article content That's not a future Alberta should aspire to emulate. Article content CleanBC is forcing B.C. to decarbonize too much, too fast — without realistic transition plans for people, businesses or industries. It may sound virtuous from a political podium but, on the ground, it's driving up costs, deterring investment, slowing construction and making it nearly impossible to build needed housing, infrastructure and energy projects. Meanwhile, global emissions keep rising and B.C. grows poorer, not greener. Article content Article content Could Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi — whose municipal track record was defined by ballooning spending, tax hikes and a wariness of business voices trying to bring practical, on-the-ground insight to policy conversations — bring similar policies and thinking to Alberta? If handed the keys to Alberta, would he follow Eby's lead: adding red tape, building massive bureaucracies and punishing the very industries that fund our hospitals, schools and roads? Article content If not, let's hear him say it: Say that Eby's policies are dangerous and destructive. Article content Make no mistake, we support smart, balanced, common-sense climate policy. But CleanBC isn't that. It's more effective at cleaning out taxpayer coffers than it is at cleaning the air. Article content Albertans should take that as a warning, not a blueprint. Article content The ICBA report also exposed another inconvenient truth for Eby and his allies: the B.C. NDP's much-touted move to eliminate the consumer-facing carbon tax is a political stunt with almost no economic upside. The real economic pain comes from escalating industrial carbon taxes — the hidden costs, buried deep. Those are taxes that Nenshi would likely support, and they are the ones hurting job creators and workers the most.

Looking west from Alberta has never been more precarious
Looking west from Alberta has never been more precarious

Calgary Herald

time5 days ago

  • Calgary Herald

Looking west from Alberta has never been more precarious

B.C. Premier David Eby's CleanBC plan could strip away $109.7 billion in economic activity from that province's economy by the end of this decade, according a report from ICBA Economics. Photo by Darryl Dyck / Postmedia Network It can be easy to think that nothing past the Rockies really matters to Albertans, but what's happening in British Columbia is deeply troubling. Government mismanagement of B.C.'s finances, economy and natural resources should be a warning to us all. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors B.C. Premier David Eby has introduced economic and energy policies that are catastrophic for workers, families and businesses across his province. The provincial deficit for 2025 is at least $11 billion — and more likely to pass $15 billion, once Eby updates the numbers this fall. Leading the parade of bad NDP ideas is Eby's CleanBC plan, which shows what happens when political ideology is placed ahead of common sense and economic reality. A recent ICBA Economics report delivered a shocking assessment, based on the B.C. government's own analysis: CleanBC will strip away $109.7 billion in economic activity from its economy by 2029 — more than 2.5 times the damage that U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war and Prime Minister Mark Carney's retaliatory trade barriers could inflict. Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again Let that sink in: B.C.'s self-inflicted climate scheme is two-and-a-half times more economically destructive than one of the most feared threats to Canadian trade and prosperity in generations. That's not a future Alberta should aspire to emulate. CleanBC is forcing B.C. to decarbonize too much, too fast — without realistic transition plans for people, businesses or industries. It may sound virtuous from a political podium but, on the ground, it's driving up costs, deterring investment, slowing construction and making it nearly impossible to build needed housing, infrastructure and energy projects. Meanwhile, global emissions keep rising and B.C. grows poorer, not greener. Could Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi — whose municipal track record was defined by ballooning spending, tax hikes and a wariness of business voices trying to bring practical, on-the-ground insight to policy conversations — bring similar policies and thinking to Alberta? If handed the keys to Alberta, would he follow Eby's lead: adding red tape, building massive bureaucracies and punishing the very industries that fund our hospitals, schools and roads? If not, let's hear him say it: Say that Eby's policies are dangerous and destructive. Make no mistake, we support smart, balanced, common-sense climate policy. But CleanBC isn't that. It's more effective at cleaning out taxpayer coffers than it is at cleaning the air. Albertans should take that as a warning, not a blueprint. The ICBA report also exposed another inconvenient truth for Eby and his allies: the B.C. NDP's much-touted move to eliminate the consumer-facing carbon tax is a political stunt with almost no economic upside. The real economic pain comes from escalating industrial carbon taxes — the hidden costs, buried deep. Those are taxes that Nenshi would likely support, and they are the ones hurting job creators and workers the most.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store