Calgary council votes yes to pot sales at adult-only events

Calgary festival-goers will now have the option to purchase cannabis on-site at adult-only events after a city councillor’s proposal passed earlier this week.

Ward 11 councillor Kourtney Penner introduced the motion on Feb. 11, requesting that city regulations permit cannabis sales at events where minors are prohibited.

The motion was approved 9-1, moving to debate on Feb. 25. Coun. Dan McLean was the lone no vote.

While councillors Andre Chabot, Sean Chu, Raj Dhaliwal, McLean, Sonya Sharp, and Jennifer Wyness opposed the motion, it passed with a narrow 8-6 vote.

Penner emphasized that the proposal wasn’t about promoting cannabis use but ensuring city policies align with provincial rules and treating cannabis sales similarly to alcohol at festivals.

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Watch: Calgary cannabis products could be sold at adult events

Calgary cannabis products could be sold at adult events

One city councilor brought forward a motion, calling on council to allow cannabis to be sold at events where minors are not allowed. Callum Hawker reports.

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The Badlands Music Festival, Chasing Summer electronic music festival, and the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival at Prince’s Island Park have been cited by Penner as examples of adult-only events where the rule would apply.

Alberta legalized cannabis in 2018 after the federal government’s Cannabis Act, or Bill C-45, made recreational cannabis legal throughout the country. The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission also became the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis when it became the regulator and cannabis wholesaler, maintaining its AGLC acronym.

The AGLC changed its regulation to allow temporary cannabis sales at adult-only events at the end of January 2024.

City staff will present the necessary bylaw, policy, and permitting changes to the executive committee on April 15.