Health Canada launches public consultations on the strict regulation of additional cannabis products

Online consultation open until February 20, 2019

OTTAWA, Dec. 20, 2018 /CNW/ - The old approach to cannabis did not work. It let criminals and organized crime profit, while failing to keep cannabis out of the hands of Canadian youth. In many cases, it has been easier for our kids to buy cannabis than cigarettes.

On October 17, 2018, after extensive consultation with law enforcement, health and safety experts, and the hard work of the Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation, the Government of Canada implemented a new framework that legalizes, strictly regulates and restricts access to cannabis. The expert Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation recommended that the Government of Canada permit the legal sale of a diverse range of cannabis products to successfully displace the illegal market, and that the products must be subject to strict regulatory controls.

Today, Health Canada is launching a public consultation on draft regulations governing the production and sale of additional cannabis products, namely edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals. These consultations build on the Government of Canada's public health approach to cannabis, which aims to better protect the health and safety of Canadians. These cannabis products will be permitted for legal sale under the Cannabis Act no later than October 17, 2019.

Canadians and interested stakeholders are invited to share their views on the proposed regulations until February 20, 2019. Health Canada welcomes written submissions or input provided online.

The draft regulations for edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals announced today will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 22, 2018. In the interim, Canadians may request a copy of the draft regulations from Health Canada at [email protected].

In addition to the online consultation, Health Canada will convene regional roundtable discussions and webinars to explain and seek input on the proposed regulatory controls across the country. Health Canada will also continue to work closely with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous partners, and community-based organizations to continue to increase public understanding of the facts about cannabis and its use.

Quotes
"These proposed regulations under the Cannabis Act support our overarching goal of keeping cannabis out of the hands of youth and protecting public health and safety. We look forward to hearing the views of Canadians from across the country."
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health

"The Government of Canada's top priority is the health and safety of Canadians. By establishing a strict regulatory framework for these new cannabis products we are keeping profits away from criminals and organized crime. I encourage all interested Canadians to share their views on the proposed regulations."
The Honourable Bill Blair
Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction

Associated Links 
Canada.ca/Cannabis 
Consultation: Strict regulation of edible cannabis, extracts and topicals 
Infographic: Proposed regulations for additional cannabis products 
Backgrounder: Consultation on the strict regulation of edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals 
Backgrounder: Top 10 Things You need to Know About Cannabis in Canada  
Backgrounder: The Cannabis Act: The Facts 
Backgrounder: Cannabis public education activities 
Cannabis health effects 
Canada's new Cannabis Act 
Backgrounder: Federal, Provincial and Territorial Roles and Responsibilities 
Impaired Driving

SOURCE Health Canada

Contacts, Thierry Bélair, Office of Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Marie-Emmanuelle Cadieux, Office of Bill Blair, Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, 613-949-5001; Media Relations, Health Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]; Public Inquiries: 613-957-2991, 1-866-225-0709