Canada’s proposed changes could open up non-therapeutic cannabis research

The Canadian government is proposing changes to make it easier to conduct non-therapeutic cannabis research in the country and to foster more investigation into the development of cannabis products.

In a notice outlining the proposed changes, the department of health (Health Canada) said the current system sets a bar that is hard for some to reach. “Many researchers face difficulties in meeting the requirements of the clinical trial framework under the Food and Drug Regulations,” the department wrote. “These challenges have led to missed opportunities to advance knowledge about the use and effects of legal, regulated cannabis products available to adult consumers under the Cannabis Act. In turn, this knowledge gap limits Canadians’ ability to make informed decisions about their consumption of cannabis products and its associated risks.”