If you operate a business that is licensed by the PLCB with a retail license (restaurant liquor, eating retail dispenser, etc.), there’s an important update you need to know. As of April 1, 2026, new guidance has clarified exactly what you can and cannot sell, aiming to eliminate some of the gray areas.
This update to Advisory Notice 28 has a firm stance on certain products that are now clearly prohibited. These include THC products, kratom, certain herbal substances, mushrooms, and nitrous oxide are all off the table.
For many operators, especially gas stations and convenience stores, this may require a noticeable shift in inventory. These products were commonly sold in those environments, and continuing to carry them could now result in citations if discovered during an inspection.
This update also brings clarity to what is allowed. Much of it aligns with what customers already expect to find in a restaurant/bar setting, but the key difference is that it is now clearly documented. In practice, this means fewer surprises and more consistency across inspections.
This update is really about one thing: clarity. For years, many businesses operated in a space where the rules were not always clearly defined on what you could sell, especially when grocery stores and gas stations were allowed to obtain licenses from the PLCB.
If you manage or own a licensed location, now is the time to take a closer look at your inventory. Identify anything that could fall into a restricted category and remove it before it becomes an issue.
If you have any questions, give our Licensing Division a call at (412) 369-1555 ext. 2.
