Canada: cannabis legalization report released

Since its announcement of full cannabis legalization in April, the government has commissioned parliamentarians, scientists, and economists to produce a report laying the groundwork for legalization.

Member of Parliament Anne McLellan was appointed in April to head a group nicknamed the «Task Force Marijuana.». This Canadian working group should establish the regulations, limits, fears, and different opportunities that the legalization of cannabis in Canada represents. In the form of a report, the conclusions were submitted yesterday to the Minister of Public Health and Civil Protection and the Minister of Justice

80 regulations and recommendations for the government

The report submitted yesterday by Anne McLellan contains over 80 regulations to govern the distribution, purchase, and sale of legal recreational cannabis. Here are the main proposed measures:

• Sales are authorized for individuals over 18 years of age. Some provinces distribute alcohol starting at 19 or 21 years of age. It is advised that these provinces also align cannabis distribution with the legal drinking age.
• An adult can grow 4 plants and possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis.
• Alcohol and cannabis cannot be sold in the same store
• Cannabis bistros are allowed
• Advertising, marketing, and sponsorship of cannabis are prohibited except in certain locations. In establishments dedicated to adults, limited promotion may be applied. If this promotion proves to be misleading, strict penalties will be applied.
• Prohibition of any product that could attract a child's eye: no candy-like packaging or cartoon characters on it. Opaque, resealable packaging will also be mandatory.
• Products containing cannabis will be required to display their composition and THC and CBD content on their packaging. The packaging will also need to state the place of production, the name of the strain, and its selling price.
• Space foods will be sold in individual portions with a fixed maximum amount of THC. Alcoholic, caffeinated beverages, or products containing nicotine will not be allowed to be mixed with cannabis.
• The government will organize public safety campaigns and warn the public of the dangers of cannabis, particularly when driving. Campaigns against overconsumption and excessive use. These campaigns will be funded by legally collected taxes.
• The federal government will continue to distribute production licenses as it currently does for medical cannabis. Distribution and retail sales authorizations will be granted by each province.
• Taxes on products will be indexed based on their THC concentration. The high prices of products with high THC dosages are intended to discourage consumers from buying cannabis.
• Criminal penalties for all illegal traffickers, especially if they sell to minors, will be maintained.

Market access for SMEs

Anne McLellan and her team also propose that the government diversify production sites. «The government must understand the value of a diversified market, consisting of local producers of different sizes.» Indeed, small producers, represented by Marc Emery, are worried about the power of multinational cannabis companies. He recently stated: «These are non-smokers making the decisions. We already know how to grow, how to sell, how to buy, and how to smoke the product.» Large companies such as Canopy Growth already have the right to grow therapeutic cannabis. Once recreational legalization is enacted, they will already have the production tools to enter the recreational market.

The government will also be able to adapt prices, taxes, and regulations over time. The clarity of the «Task Force» report, available in French, will be highlighted on this link.