Human Resources Legislative Update
Budding Industry: Amendments to Cannabis Regulations Legalizing Edible Cannabis Coming Into Force
Date: October 9, 2019
On October 17, 2019, one year after Canada legalized the sale and purchase of dried and fresh cannabis, oil, seeds, and plants, the government of Canada’s amendments to the Cannabis Regulations made under the federal Cannabis Act will come into force, establishing rules for the legal production and sale of three new classes of cannabis.
The new classes of cannabis included in this amendment are:
- edible cannabis;
- cannabis extracts; and
- cannabis topicals.
Once in force, this amendment will implement a comprehensive set of controls for the legal production and sale of the new cannabis products. It includes limits on THC content and restricted additives for each new product category, strict packaging and labelling requirements, and prohibitions on marketing. The federal government has also provided an overview of the amendments.
Notably, the Food and Drugs Act and its regulations do not apply to edible cannabis, except in certain situations where, for example, the cannabis is represented with a therapeutic claim.
The amendments to the Cannabis Regulations come into force on October 17, 2019 but the new products will not be available until later in the year. Consumers of legal age can expect edibles, extracts and topicals to become available for purchase beginning in mid-December 2019, both online and in physical stores, as the federal government gradually rolls out this update.
The article in this client update provides general information and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. This publication is copyrighted by Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP and may not be photocopied or reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the express permission of Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP. ©
