Health Canada launched a public consultation on its proposed regulations governing cannabis edibles today and stated that the legal sale of cannabis edibles will be permitted no later than October 17, 2019. While certain cannabis use was legalized on October 17, 2018, the federal government delayed the legalization of edibles in order to address the added issues including dosage, packaging, food regulations, promotion and added awareness. The draft legislation, which will be officially released on December 22, 2018, covers edibles, extracts and topical forms of cannabis.
The Cannabis Act has already set out possession limits for edibles, being a maximum of 15 grams of edible product. Health Canada has further stated that there will be a maximum tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) quantity of 10 milligrams in any package, beverage container or capsule of edible product. Cannabis topical products will be limited to 1,000mg of THC per package and extracts, such as vaporizers, will be limited to 10mg of THC per unit and no more than 1,000 mg per package.
According to the federal Minister of Health, the overarching goal of the Cannabis Act is to keep cannabis out of the hands of youth and protect public health and safety. The Cannabis Act has already prohibited edibles from having an "appearance, shape or other sensory attribute or function" that would make them appealing to youth and the proposed regulations outline a comprehensive and restrictive set of requirements for packaging and labelling. Additionally, the Cannabis Act prohibits marketing to youth and places a ban on making health, dietary or cosmetic claims.
With the legalization of recreational cannabis and increasing use of medicinal cannabis, Field Law's Cannabis Industry Group will continue provide updates on how the implementation of the legislation is impacting and will impact Canadians in the areas of labour and employment, occupational health and safety, intellectual property and business.
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