Government of Canada: Health Canada is launching public consultations on the strict regulation of additional cannabis products, namely edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals. The consultation will be open starting December 20, 2018 until February 20, 2019. The purpose of 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.
Canadian Minister of Health, Petitpas Taylor, encourages all Canadians, like yourself, to participate.
Edibles are expected to be on the legal market by October 17, 2019, and it could be a lucrative business!
Regulations that are being proposed advise that:
- Forms that pose a greater risk to health [IE needles or eye drops], will be prohibited.
- Like other products like tobacco or alcohol: flavours that could attract youth, like dessert or confectionery flavours, are banned on packaging and labelling of cannabis extracts.
- Edible products will be required to be “shelf stable” and not require refrigeration or freezing.
- Like other foods for consumption, edibles must offer consumers nutritional information, including ingredients and a best-before date
- Extracts can contain flavouring agents, but will not be allowed to contain sugars, sweeteners or sweetening agents.
In addition to an online consultation, Health Canada will assemble a regional roundtable discussion and host webinars to explain and seek feedback and comments on the proposed regulatory controls across Canada.
Health Canada will also continue to work directly with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous partners, and community-based organizations to continue to increase public understanding of the facts and safety about cannabis and its use.
“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
