Cannabis Canada, the leading organization of Health Canada Licensed Producers of cannabis, commends the Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation for its thorough and thoughtful approach to a complex issue and supports many of the recommendations contained within the report submitted to the Government of Canada. The Association looks forward to working with all levels of government throughout the process of legalization.
“Overall, the Task Force has succeeded in providing the federal government with a set of well-informed and comprehensive recommendations that will guide the development of legislation for the legalization and regulation of cannabis in Canada,” said Colette Rivet, Executive Director of Cannabis Canada Association. “Our membership is unanimous in the need to protect the health and well-being of Canadians. Effective education, ensuring product quality and safety, and keeping cannabis out of the hands of youth is paramount to achieving this, and will have the added outcome of shutting down the black market.”
In developing legislation and regulations, Cannabis Canada encourages the Government of Canada to allow a level of product branding and advertising that in no way appeals to children or youth, encourages responsible use and provides information to consumers. “There is a lot of confusion in the marketplace. About a quarter of the inquiries Cannabis Canada receives are questions about where and how to obtain legal cannabis,” added Ms. Rivet. “Allowing companies to brand and advertise their products will help consumers to distinguish safe, quality, legally-produced cannabis from black market product, and it will also help consumers to make informed decisions regarding different strains, levels of potency and characteristics.”
In particular, Cannabis Canada supports the Task Force’s recommendations in the following areas:
Minimizing Harms of Use, including a national minimum age of purchase, prohibiting products and packaging deemed to be “appealing to children”, requiring re-sealable packaging that is childproof or child-resistant, requiring appropriate and comprehensive labelling, and developing and implementing a robust public education campaign.
Establishing a Safe and Responsible Supply Chain, including regulating production and drawing on the practices of the current medical system, seed-to-sale tracking, no co-location with alcohol or tobacco sales, limits on density and location of storefronts, and maintenance of the mail-order system.
Enforcing Public Safety and Protection, including an education campaign on the dangers of cannabis-impaired driving, applicable laws and the ability of law enforcement to detect cannabis use, and baseline data collection.
Medical Access, including maintenance of a separate medical system and supporting clinical research on the use of cannabis and cannabinoids for medical purposes.
About Cannabis Canada
Cannabis Canada is the leading organization of Canada’s Licensed Producers of Medical Cannabis under Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR).
The Association’s mission is to act as the national voice for our members in their promotion of industry standards; support the development, growth and integrity of the regulated cannabis industry; and serve as a trusted resource on issues related to the safe and responsible use of cannabis for medical and non-medical purposes.
Members of Cannabis Canada share a philosophy of both patient-centric care and improved public health, and are committed to product safety and quality, secure and reliable access and the promotion of the safe and effective use of cannabis. www.cann-can.ca.
SOURCE Cannabis Canada Association 