Li was experiencing problems with his application for a non-medical cannabis licence application. Although Li’s application had been initially screened by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) within a short time, he had yet to receive notice if it had been approved or not. Frustrated, Li called our office. Li told us that another applicant was ahead of him in the local government’s ranking of potential retail cannabis stores. However, the other application was delayed by LCRB, and this delay was impacting Li’s ability to open a cannabis store.

In speaking with the LCRB, we learned that some applications remained outstanding because the applicant had not provided all of the required documentation. The LCRB indicated that it prioritized complete applications, or applications where no outstanding documentation or information was required. We also learned that the LCRB had started to identify applications that did not meet eligibility requirements and it was in the midst of introducing a process to bring those outstanding applications to a conclusion by cancelling them in some circumstances.

With respect of the other applicant, it did not appear that the LCRB had delayed considering the application. However, for confidentiality reasons, we were unable to share all of the details of the investigation with Li because they pertained to the other applicant.

To settle the issue of potential delays in the application process, we proposed that the LCRB articulate in a written policy its process for applications that do not meet eligibility requirements because of missing, but required information. The LCRB agreed.