Cannabis and cannabinoids in Canada

Canada: Updates to Canada’s cannabis regulations are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette Part II on 12th March 2025, as indicated by recently released Orders in Council (here and here). Unofficial sources have also shared documents that seem to outline these regulatory changes. While they are available for reference here, it is important to note that they are not from the official source. These new regulations stem from a proposal package and public consultation launched by Health Canada in June 2024. They introduce several modifications affecting federal cannabis licence holders, specifically in five key areas: licensing, personnel and physical security measures, production requirements, packaging and labelling rules, and record-keeping and reporting obligations.

Colombia: The Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) has enacted a resolution to ease the import of medicinal cannabis from Canada. The resolution establishes phytosanitary requirements for imports, aiming to ensure quality and prevent pests. However, critics, including congressman Alejandro Ocampo and president Gustavo Petro, have opposed the measure, arguing that Colombia already has a strong cannabis industry and that local producers should be prioritised.

Canada: In the first half of 2024, Canada exported 67,475.28 kg of dried medical cannabis flower, nearly doubling the 34,115.13 kg exported during the same period in 2023. Based on the latest data from Health Canada, which includes figures up to June 2024, this marks a 98% year-on-year increase.

Canada: This autumn, Health Canada is expected to publish a policy consultation document on the potential market for cannabis health products which would not require practitioner oversight, especially for those products containing CBD. If permitted, cannabis health products would be cannabis-containing products that can make health claims to treat minor ailments and that could be obtained without needing to first consult a health practitioner (that is, over the counter instead of by prescription). More details are provided in our Canada regulatory report.

Germany: The German company Demecan and the Canadian companies Aphria RX (Tilray) and Aurora have received permission under the Medical Cannabis Act to cultivate unlimited amounts of medical cannabis, press reports. The previous restriction, which only allowed cultivation of a certain amount and required sales to be made through the state cannabis agency, has been lifted. Additionally, deliveries can now be made directly to pharmacies.

Canada: Health Canada has released a new webpage with contact information for cannabis and industrial hemp licence holders, applicants and the industry.

Canada: Health Canada launched a public consultation on amendments to certain cannabis regulations. The proposed amendments aim to reduce regulatory and administrative burdens while maintaining public health and safety objectives under the Cannabis Act. The changes focus on five priority areas: licensing, personnel and physical security measures, production requirements, packaging and labelling requirements, and record-keeping and reporting. Notable proposals include increasing micro-class licence thresholds, allowing the use of ethyl alcohol in certain products, simplifying packaging and labelling rules, and permitting non-human research without a cannabis licence under specific conditions. Additionally, the changes would streamline reporting and record-keeping requirements, such as eliminating the need for certain product notifications and reducing documentation for cannabis destruction. Comments can be submitted until 9th July.

Canada: Health Canada recalled six lots of softgels and oils distributed by cannabis producer iNaturally Organic due to the “presumed presence” of HHC. These products were sold through authorised retailers in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Yukon, and were also sold to medical clients through Rosebud Productions (Herbal Dispatch), Open Fields Winnipeg and Médicibis. To date, iNaturally Organic has received two adverse reaction reports about these products, and Health Canada has received three adverse reaction reports and one complaint related to them. Health Canada advises consumers to immediately stop using the products and either return them to where they were purchased or dispose of them.

Canada - New Brunswick: The provincial legislative assembly approved bill 29 to amend the Cannabis Control Act, which aims to increase compliance, reduce the sale of illegal cannabis, and prevent young people from consuming the drug. The proposal will also give more authority to inspectors and increase fines for those operating illegal dispensaries and for their landlords. The amendments come into force on a day or days to be set by proclamation.

Canada - Alberta: Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) amended the Cannabis Representative Handbook (CRH) and the Retail Cannabis Store Handbook (RCSH) to allow private label cannabis products. These products, also known as “store brand” or “white label” cannabis products, must be listed at wholesale prices equal to or greater than the lowest general listed products in the same category and type. These products cannot serve as inducements and require AGLC approval, with no arrangements preventing suppliers from producing private label products for other licensees. A private label cannabis product can include a licensee-specific name or logo, a licensee-trademarked name or logo, or a statement such as “manufactured exclusively for [name of licensee]”.

Canada: On 24th April 2024, Health Canada published amendments to modernise the Cosmetic Regulations, among them amendments to the cannabis regulations related to cosmetic ingredient labelling requirements for cannabis-containing topical products. Section 8 of the packaging and labelling guide for cannabis products has been updated to reflect this change and will come into force on 9th October 2024.

Canada - New Brunswick: The provincial government has introduced amendments to the Cannabis Control Act, which aim to increase compliance, reduce the sale of illegal cannabis and prevent young people from consuming the drug.