Province announces new liquor, cannabis sale reforms

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on July 3, 2025.

On Tuesday the province announced it will be rolling out changes that will make it easier for liquor retailers to utilize underused commercial spaces, as well as a new retail licence that will allow cannabis cultivators to sell their products directly from their farms.

The province says the target reforms are part of its policy to cut red tape and reduce regulatory burden while permitting more competitive marketplaces across the province.

Details remain sparse, however the province says the reforms will allow businesses that own or lease large buildings the opportunity to create a separate liquor store within their space.

The liquor stores created in these spaces would require a separate entrance and full floor-to-ceiling walls separating it from other retail operations.

“We are proud that these amendments not only cut red tape in the retail segment of the liquor marketplace, but also directly open more opportunities for small manufacturers to grow their businesses,” said Dale Nally, minister of service Alberta and red tape reduction.

In addition, the province is making changes to allow bars and taverns with a party bike service to serve their own crafted brews on the bike tours, removing barriers that prevented local brewers from advertising their own brands.

“This is one of several red tape reduction changes to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation aimed at making life easier for small businesses and expanding responsible choices for consumers,” reads a press release.

Alberta pot growers will also be able to access the local market more easily as they will be able to apply for a retail licence that will allow them to sell their product from their farm property directly, allowing growers to bypass traditional retail channels, also known as farm-gate sales.

The move aligns Alberta with other provinces and provides consumers more access to homegrown cannabis products, the province says.

Across the province there are more than 1,600 liquor retail stores and more than 750 licensed cannabis retail stores.