ABLE BC – Grow Up Conference: BC Cannabis Wholesale Update Highlights

2026 Vancouver, Grow Up News

Grow Up Conference: BC Cannabis Wholesale Update Highlights

At the Grow Up Conference in Vancouver in January, BC LDB Cannabis Wholesale shared an update on the provincial cannabis market, offering insight into wholesale sales performance, category share, and emerging product trends. ABLE BC attended the session and is sharing key takeaways below.

BC Market Sales Outlook

Wholesale sales in 2025 have surpassed $500 million, with 2026 projections trending toward $600 million.

Bo Chen comments,

” As we look at recent years performance back to 2024, we can observe that sales have stabilized at the wholesale level so far with marginal year over year growth. With smart and modern cannabis policies being advocated for (i.e., sales at events and loyalty programs to name a few), there is significant potential for BC’s market to be unlocked even further to provide growth in revenue as well as employment in our province .”

Category Sales & Inhalable Extracts

Inhalable extracts continue to lead category share, representing 37.5% of the wholesale market, followed by Flower (28.6%) and Pre-rolls (23.3%).

Within the inhalable extracts category, the top segments are: Infused Pre-Rolls (39%), Cartridge Vapes (38%), and Disposables (15%).

These figures reflect continued consumer demand for convenient and ready-to-use product formats.

Trends & Innovations

BC Cannabis Wholesale also highlighted several notable trends:

Continued growth in ready-to-consume products, including disposables and pre-rolls.
Disposable vape pens showing strong momentum, with a 105% year-over-year increase .
Chew multipacks gaining category share, as weekly wholesale data shows a decline in single, non-multipack chews alongside increased multipack sales.

Together, these insights point to evolving consumer preferences and the importance of innovation within product formats.

Images Credit: BC Cannabis Wholesale and Grow Up

Grow Up Conference: LCRB Update Highlights

At the same conference, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) also shared insights into BC’s evolving cannabis retail landscape, legal market capture, regulatory clarity, and future-looking initiatives. ABLE BC was also in attendance during the session and noted the following key highlights.

BC’s Regional Retail Landscape & Legal Market Capture

LCRB highlighted how increased access to licensed retail stores is influencing consumer behaviour across the province. As more legal access points open, consumers are increasingly opting for regulated channels – helping to explain the continued growth in legal market capture.

A regional breakdown of stores per capita (see below) shows meaningful variation across BC: t he Lower Mainland stands out as a highly competitive market, with approximately 0.5 stores per 10,000 people.

Complementing this data, LCRB shared estimates of volume-based legal market capture for cannabis grown in BC, which has increased from 49% in 2022 to 61% in 2024.

Bo comments,

“ It’s encouraging to see local governments opening up their communities to licensed cannabis stores, providing safe products and contributing to the growth of legal market share against illicit supply. At the same time, the long-term financial sustainability of legal operators is essential to truly diminishing the illicit market in our province. While the increase in licensed stores is a positive signal, BC’s cannabis retail landscape will also require responsible policies that build stability for private stores and modernize retail capabilities—aligning with best practices seen across other industries.”

Inducements: Regulatory Clarity

As part of government’s efforts to support a diverse and healthy cannabis ecosystem, LCRB also provided clarity on the rules around inducements within the cannabis sector.

For detailed guidance on the applicable subsections, members are encouraged to review:

ABLE BC encourages all cannabis producers and retailers to familiarize themselves with these rules to ensure compliance and reduce risk as the market continues to mature.

Looking Ahead

LCRB also outlined several initiatives aimed at supporting the future growth of BC’s cannabis industry, including:

Buy BC, with more details available in the Buy BC section of this newsletter
Funding programs designed to help BC cannabis businesses expand into new markets
The development of a BC Craft Cannabis Brand

Reflecting on these initiatives, Bo comments:

“These are welcome starting initiatives from our government partners that can help open doors and strengthen BC’s cannabis industry. As our sector continues to establish itself as a meaningful economic asset for the province, it’s important to focus on incremental gains that, over time, will help propel the industry forward.”

Images Credit: Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch and Grow Up

Upcoming ABLE BC Cannabis Industry Townhall and Survey

ABLE BC will be hosting an upcoming virtual Cannabis Townhall for ABLE BC Cannabis Retail Members in good standing. Members are encouraged to keep an eye out for a separate email invitation with full event details and registration information.

The Townhall will provide an opportunity to hear directly from ABLE BC on:

Advocacy updates
Current industry trends

A member survey will be shared following the Townhall to gather feedback and help inform ABLE BC’s ongoing advocacy efforts.

For questions or inquiries about joining, please contact Bo at bo@ablebc.ca .

BC Food & Beverage Producers: Increase Your Visibility with Buy BC Partnership Program

Intake for Buy BC Partnership Program cost-shared funding is now open!

Applications Dates: January 26 – February 20, 2026 (deadline: 4pm PST)

BC food and beverage producers could receive funding to support local marketing activities delivered April to November 2026, increasing consumer awareness and sales of your products within BC! Examples include: