Current State of Cannabis in Canada
Posted by BK on 16th Feb 2018
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that the proposed Cannabis Act will become law next summer. With the legalization of pot across Canada, each province will have its own say in how marijuana is sold and used. As such, the rules will vary depending on which province you are in. Thus far, only Ontario has passed its own cannabis law. Here’s what you need to know about Canada’s federal pot policy along with links to more details for each province.
Canada’s Cannabis Act, Bill C-45
The House of Commons of Canada passed Bill C-45 (the Cannabis Act) on November 27, 2017 to:
• Provide legal access to cannabis
• Control and regulate the production, distribution and sale of cannabis
• Prevent young people from accessing cannabis
• Establish strict product safety and product quality requirements
• Deter criminal activity with serious criminal penalties
• Reduce the burden on the criminal justice system in relation to cannabis
Federal limits on cannabis in Canada include the following:
• Legal age: Same as alcohol age limits with the exception of Manitoba
• Possession: Up to 30 grams of dried cannabis (some provinces allow you to have more at home)
• Home cultivation: Up to four marijuana plants per residence with the exception of Manitoba and Québec which intend to prohibit home cultivation altogether
• Public use: Varies by province and territory
• Marijuana dispensaries: Some provinces allow only for publicly owned stores while others allow for private dispensaries.
Cannabis Labeling in Canada
The Cannabis Act’s Subdivision B covers the packaging and labeling of cannabis and cannabis accessories. For those authorized to sell cannabis, the packaging and label may not:
•Be appealing to young people
•Contain testimonials or endorsements
•Depict people, animals, or characters of any sort including real or fictional
•Associate the item or elements of the item in such a manner to evoke emotions related to glamour, recreation, excitement, vitality, risk or daring
•Contain false, misleading or deceptive information or information that is likely to create an erroneous impression about the cannabis product’s “characteristics, value, quantity, composition, strength, concentration, potency, purity, quality, merit, safety, health effects or health risks.”
The Health Department has confirmed that the proposed Cannabis Act is intended to go into force no later than July 2018.
Provincial Pot Policies in Canada
British Columbia Cannabis Policies
Saskatchewan Cannabis Policies
Newfoundland and Labrador Cannabis Policies
New Brunswick Cannabis Policies
Prince Edward Island Cannabis Policies
Top Selling Cannabis Label Printers in Canada
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