Cannabis: What You Need To Know

Communities Of Indigenous People

We continue to engage with Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities in the following ways:

• To understand the views of Indigenous peoples on the legalization and regulation of Cannabis culture.
• The Cannabis Act should be made more widely known

Indigenous groups can use the cannabis-related resources below to lead public discussions in their communities.

Regulation And Legalization Of Cannabis

It has now been one year since the Cannabis Act became effective.

Cannabis in Canada is governed by a new, strict framework:

• Selling
• Holding
• Producing
• Distributing

The Cannabis Act has the following purposes:

• Cannabis should not be accessible to youth
• Replace the illegal cannabis market with a legal one

Keeping youth healthy and safe is a top priority. Criminal penalties are imposed for those who:

• The sale or provision of cannabis to minors
• Commit cannabis crimes with youth

Public health and safety are also protected by the Cannabis Act by:

• Establishing rules for adult access to quality-controlled cannabis
• Establishing a new, tightly regulated supply chain

Depending on the province or territory, adults 18 or 19 years of age or older can:

• The possession of up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or its equivalent in non-dried form, is legal in public
• Adults may share dried cannabis or its equivalent up to 30 grams
• You can buy cannabis products from a retailer in your province or territory
• You are allowed to grow up to four plants per residence (not per person) for personal use:
  • Using seedlings or seeds that have been legally obtained
  • Provinces and territories vary

A person who possess, produces, distributes or sells drugs in violation of the law can face criminal penalties, including:

• Itineraries
• The maximum penalty is 14 years in prison

Also prohibited by the Cannabis Act are:

• Products that appeal to youth
• Making it appealing to youth through packaging or labeling
• Vending machines or self-service displays
• Unless authorized by the Cannabis Act, there may be no promotion of cannabis, cannabis accessories, or services related to cannabis

Cannabis Extracts, Cannabis Topicals, And Edible Cannabis

The Cannabis Act makes it legal in Canada to produce and sell edible cannabis, cannabis extracts, and cannabis topicals by:

• Retailers in provincial and territorial jurisdictions
• Sellers of medical cannabis who are licensed by the federal government

The new cannabis products will take time to become available for purchase. A limited selection should only be available gradually, in physical stores or online stores, and no earlier than mid-December 2019. Once the full selection is available, it will take longer.

To ensure the safety and health of the public, these products are subject to strict regulation.

As soon as regulatory controls were established, the Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation recommended that the Government of Canada allow these products to be sold. By making cannabis products legal for adults, the Government will be able to achieve the following objectives:

• Displacement of the illegal market
• Criminals and organized crime can’t get their hands on profits

The new cannabis products will take time to become available for purchase. A limited selection should only be available gradually, in physical stores or online stores, and no earlier than mid-December 2019. Once the full selection is available, it will take longer.

To ensure the safety and health of the public, these products are subject to strict regulation.

After setting up regulatory controls, the Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation recommended that the federal government permit the sale of these products. In order to achieve the following objectives, the government should make cannabis products legal for adults:

• Displacement of the illegal market
• Criminals and organized crime can’t get their hands on profits