Canada: Market and legal data analysis of the cannabis sector

27th March 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.
22nd March 2024: Canada: Health Canada has published the Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act, which highlights significant progress in establishing a licensing framework for a legal industry, shifting adult consumers to the legal cannabis market, and enforcing rules on promotion, packaging and labelling. However, deficiencies in evidence have impeded a full assessment of the impacts on public health and public safety, indicating a need for sustained investment in surveillance and research. The expert panel engaged with more than 600 participants from over 250 organisations in nearly 140 sessions to better understand the realities and experiences of different communities since the implementation of the act. The expert panel provided 54 recommendations and 11 observations to improve the cannabis framework, including reducing cannabis use among young people and cannabis-related harms; revising health warning messages and packaging on cannabis products; encouraging Finance Canada to review the excise tax model and consider moving to a progressive model where higher-potency products are subject to more tax; reducing the administrative burden on federal licence holders; and allowing pharmacies to distribute cannabis products to people with medical authorisation.
20th March 2024: Canada: Health Canada updated the guidelines for cannabis licence holders on how to apply for an import or export permit in the Cannabis Tracking and Licensing System (CTLS).
5th March 2024: Canada: Health Canada has published the 2024-2025 Departmental Plan. The plan’s objectives include implementing the Cannabis Act, restricting legal access to regulated products to adults, reducing illegal activities involving cannabis, and facilitating reasonable access to cannabis for medical purposes. The department also aims to conduct compliance and enforcement activities, promote a diverse commercial cannabis industry, and develop a cost-effective and efficient electronic Cannabis Personal Registration System. Furthermore, Health Canada plans to strengthen the integrity of the medical access framework, conduct inspections on activities representing the highest risk to public health and safety, and assess the findings and recommendations in the Cannabis Legislative Review Panel’s final report to improve the functioning of the Cannabis Act.
28th February 2024: Canada: The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has ordered cannabis wholesalers to garnish payments originally intended for licensed producers to cover unpaid taxes. This move is a significant step to address delinquent tax payments and will directly impact the bottom line of those who owe taxes. The CRA has not disclosed the number of licensed producers affected or the total amount involved, leaving the full extent of enforcement unclear. The growing number of Canadian cannabis companies deferring federal excise tax payments indicates financial struggles among operators.
21st February 2024: Canada: Health Canada has updated the fees laid out in the Cannabis Fees Order, following the 2023 Consumer Price Index of 4.4%. The new rates will apply from 1st April. Health Canada is also launching a new page that provides a summary of reporting requirements for cannabis and industrial hemp licence holders.
15th February 2024: Canada - British Columbia: To support the legal cannabis sector within the province, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is implementing adjustments aimed at enhancing hospitality and tourism prospects for the cannabis industry. With the changes to the Cannabis Control Regulation, licensees can advertise spaces for cannabis consumption or post-consumption relaxation. Moreover, smoking and vaping of cannabis on public patios is now authorised in areas where smoking and vaping of tobacco are already permitted. Cannabis consumption is still not allowed in cannabis shops. Licensees must ensure any cannabis consumption near their shop is not within their establishment.
24th January 2024: Canada: Health Canada has updated the list of industrial hemp varieties approved for commercial production in 2024. The 2024 list includes the addition of the Rak cultivar, while no varieties were removed from the list in 2023. As of 23rd January 2024, Health Canada has also reduced the submission requirements for cultivation, processing, and sale for medical purposes licences.
20th December 2023: Canada - Alberta: Starting 31st January 2024, the province will permit licensed cannabis retailers to set up temporary sales spots at events restricted to adults, such as festivals or trade shows.
7th December 2023: Canada: Health Canada has published a Guidance on cannabis products with intoxicating cannabinoids other than delta-9-THC. It recommends that licensed processors apply the same regulatory controls that are applicable to delta-9-THC to all other intoxicating cannabinoids present in their cannabis products.
27th November 2023: Canada: Health Canada approved the use of Epidiolex as an adjunct therapy for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome (DS), or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in patients aged two or older.

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