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Sampling Guidelines

Edmonton, AB, September 29 – Oct. 1, 2024

We are look forward to hosting our 10th Conference and Expo downtown at the Edmonton Convention Centre. Don’t miss out on Canada’s largest collection of growers, retailers and brands.

Product Sampling Guidelines

Participating Brands

Sampling will only be permitted by approved participating brands. This includes Brands and Buyers exhibitors and Speed Networking participants. All others will be removed from the premises.

At the Grow Up Alberta Brands and Buyers Zone, we value the opportunity for you to showcase your products to our retail and budtender attendees. To ensure a smooth and successful event, we kindly ask you to follow these guidelines when distributing samples:

  1. Obtain Approval:
    Prior to distributing any samples, you must obtain written approval from the Grow Up Alberta organizers. Please submit your request to sampling@growupalberta.com, detailing all of the product(s) you plan to distribute, the quantity, and any additional pertinent information.
  2. Verify attendee’s QCW Status:
    Distribute samples exclusively to attendees with a QCW# on their badges. Always check for a QCW designation on their conference badge before handing out samples.
  3. Compliance with Regulations:
    Guarantee that all samples comply with local, provincial, and federal regulations. This encompasses proper packaging, labeling, excise stickers and adherence to quantity restrictions. All samples must have a sticker that says something to the effect of “For education purposes only. Not for resale.” Each cannabis product sample must not exceed 3.5 grams of dried cannabis or its equivalent. You are responsible for staying informed about current regulations.
  4. Storage and Handling:
    Safely and securely store and handle samples, adhering to any specific storage requirements.
  5. Educate Attendees:
    Sampling is for educational purposes only. Offer information about the product, its ingredients, and proper usage. Encourage responsible consumption and make sure attendees understand any potential risks associated with the product.
  6. Track Distribution:
    Grow Up provides a lead retrieval system that allows you to maintain a record of the samples you distribute. This will help you manage inventory and gather valuable insights about your target audience. We recommend using an additional method of tracking as a back up.

  7. No Sales:
    Please note that sales of cannabis products are strictly prohibited at the conference. Your focus should be on showcasing your brand and educating attendees.
  8. Cleanliness and Waste Management:
    Keep your booth clean and organized at all times. Dispose of any waste generated from sample distribution in the designated waste disposal areas.

Thank you for adhering to these guidelines. By following these instructions, we can create a safe, compliant, and enjoyable experience for all attendees at the Grow Up Alberta Brands and Buyers Zone. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact us at sampling@growupalberta.com.

Participating Attendees

At Grow Up Alberta, we are committed to creating an educational and informative event, while also ensuring the safety and compliance of all participants. To help you enjoy the Brands and Buyers Zone responsibly, please follow these guidelines when receiving samples from participating brands:

  1. Age Requirement:
    Attendees must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid QCW or equivalent provincial documentation to participate in cannabis sampling.
  2. Verify Your QCW Status:
    As an attendee, ensure that you have a valid QCW# on your conference badge. You will need to provide ID and proof of QCW# (of equivalent) at registration. Brands are instructed to distribute samples exclusively to attendees with a QCW designation.
  3. Stay Informed on Regulations:
    All samples provided by brands must comply with local, provincial, and federal regulations. This includes proper packaging, labeling, excise stickers, and adherence to quantity restrictions. Each cannabis product sample must not exceed 3.5 grams of dried cannabis or its equivalent. It’s essential to stay informed about current regulations.
  4. Educational Purposes Only:
    Remember that sampling is for educational purposes only. Brands are encouraged to offer information about the product, its ingredients, and proper usage. Engage with brand representatives to learn more about the products and their benefits.
  5. Prepare to be Scanned:
    According the Cannabis Representative Handbook – Section 4.3.12, samples provided must be tracked and retained for 6 years and are subject to AGLC review. Each time you receive a sample, the brand representative will scan your badge. You will only be allowed on sample per booth.
  6. Responsible Consumption:
    Always practice responsible consumption when sampling products. Be aware of any potential risks associated with the product and follow the recommended usage guidelines.
  7. No Sales:
    Please note that sales of cannabis products are strictly prohibited at the conference. The focus of the Brands and Buyers Zone is on showcasing brands and educating attendees.
  8. Entry Limit:
    Attendees are permitted to enter the Brands and Buyers zone with no more than 30 grams of cannabis (or its equivalent), subject to any documented medical allowances.
  9. Designated Consumption Area:
    All cannabis consumption must take place within the designated consumption area. Attendees smoking outside of this designated area will be asked to leave and may be subject to local law enforcement.

By adhering to these guidelines, we can create a safe, compliant, and enjoyable experience for all attendees at Grow Up Alberta. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please feel free to reach out to the event organizers.

Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to seeing you at the event!

Terms

The information on this page is meant as a guide only. Grow Up is not responsible for providing legal cannabis advice. It is the responsibility of each individual attendee, brand, LP, exhibitor and delegate to know the federal, provincial and local rules and regulations as it pertains to them. Grow Up can not guarantee that sampling will be available onsite. Educational sampling is an additional benefit to the conference and expo.

References

 

Cannabis Bulletin

March 23, 2023

This bulletin is to advise all registered cannabis representatives and retail cannabis store licensees of important amendments to the Cannabis Representative Handbook (CRH) and the Retail Cannabis Store Handbook (RCSH).

Effective immediately, Section 4.3 of the CRH and 4.2 and 6.3 of the RCSH have been amended to permit cannabis representatives the ability to provide up to 3.5 grams of dried cannabis (or equivalency) as sample product. Samples provided must be for marketing purposes and are for licensee use only.

The amendment may be accessed on AGLC’s website at aglc.ca. Additional information regarding AGLC’s commitment to a modern regulatory environment that supports consumer choice, innovation and economic growth can be found on AGLC’s website at aglc.ca/modernization.

Please familiarize yourself with the amended policies, and ensure all affected staff are notified of the new amendments.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact AGLC’s Compliance Branch at inspections.mailbox@aglc.ca.

Cannabis Representative HandbookSection 4.3.12

Cannabis representatives may provide a licensee with cannabis product samples for marketing purposes under the following conditions:

  1. a one-time maximum sample size of 3.5 grams of dried cannabis (or equivalency; see Section 2.6of the Retail Cannabis Store Handbook) is permitted per cannabis product;
  2. samples must meet all Health Canada requirements including packaging, labeling and federal compliance reporting;
  3. samples are for licensee use only and cannot be provided or sold to the public; and
  4. records of all samples provided must be retained for 6 years and are subject to AGLC review upon request.
Class of Cannabis Quantity Equivalent to 1 gram of dried cannabis
dried cannabis 1 gram
fresh cannabis 5 grams
solids containing cannabis 15 grams
non-solids containing cannabis, other than cannabis beverages 70 grams
cannabis plant seeds 1 seed
cannabis concentrates .25 grams
cannabis beverages 570 grams