Skip to content

Health Canada announces legislative review of Cannabis Act

Kevin Landry and Nikolas Shymko

The Cannabis Act came into force on October 17, 2018, putting in place framework for controlling the sale, possession, production and distribution of cannabis.

The Cannabis Act requires the Minister of Health to conduct a review of the legislation, its administration, and operation three years after coming into force. To fulfill this requirement, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions have announced this September, 2022 that an independent Expert Panel will lead a legislative review.

Phase One

The first phase of the Panel’s work will assess impacts of the Cannabis Act through issues identification, evidence gathering and analysis; engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples to determine areas of focus to guide the review; and engagement with stakeholders and the public. Although the Cannabis Act stipulates that this review must focus on the health and cannabis consumption habits of young persons, the impact of cannabis on Indigenous persons and communities, and the impact of the cultivation of cannabis plants in a housing context, Health Canada announced that the Panel will broaden that focus to include:

  • Economic, social and environmental impacts of the Cannabis Act;
  • Progress towards providing adults with access to strictly regulated, lower risk, legal cannabis products;
  • Progress made in deterring criminal activity and displacing the illicit cannabis market;
  • Impact of legalization and regulation on access to cannabis for medical purposes; and
  • Impacts on Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, and women who might be at greater risk of harm or face greater barriers to participation in the legal industry based on identity or socio-economic factors.

The Panel’s activities will be informed by an online public engagement process, supported by an engagement paper, Taking stock of progress: Cannabis legalization and regulation in Canada, which outlines the key features of the legislative framework, as well as national trends. The Panel will also be informed by feedback from First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners on the paper, Summary from engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples: The Cannabis Act and its impacts. Views on the engagement papers are welcome via the online questionnaire or through written feedback until November 21, 2022.

Phase Two

The second phase of the Panel’s work will focus on providing advice on areas of the legislative framework, or its implementation, that the Government could prioritize for improvement or reform. This will culminate in the preparation of a report to Parliament.


This update is intended for general information only. If you have questions about the above, please contact the authors.

Click here to subscribe to Stewart McKelvey Thought Leadership.

SHARE

Archive

Search Archive


 
 

Client Update: The Employer’s implied contractual obligation to supply work: common law developments in employment law

March 10, 2015

Following several Supreme Court of Canada decisions in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the law of constructive dismissal was well defined – or so many thought. The Court’s decision in Potter v. New Brunswick Legal…

Read More

Client Update: Auto Insurance – Direct compensation for property damage is coming to PEI

March 5, 2015

In our May 20, 2014 client update, we reported on significant changes affecting automobile insurance in Prince Edward Island, including changes to no-fault benefits available under section B and changes to the damages cap for minor…

Read More

Labour and Employment Legislative Update 2014

February 10, 2015

2014 LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT ATLANTIC CANADA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE As we move forward in 2015, we know our region’s employers will want to be aware of new legislation that has passed or could soon pass that…

Read More

Client Update: 2015 Minor Injury Cap

January 30, 2015

On January 28, 2015, the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance issued a bulletin in Nova Scotia. The 2015 minor injury cap has been set at $8,352, an increase of 1.7 per cent over 2014.…

Read More

Client Update: Outlook for the 2015 Proxy Season

January 29, 2015

In preparing for the 2015 proxy season, you should be aware of some regulatory changes that may impact disclosure to and interactions with your shareholders. This update highlights what is new in the 2015 proxy…

Read More

Client Update: Reaching New Limits – Recent Amendments to the PEI Lands Protection Act

January 6, 2015

During the Fall 2014 legislative sitting, the Province of Prince Edward Island passed legislation that results in significant changes to the Lands Protection Act. The amendments have just been proclaimed and were effective January 1, 2015.…

Read More

Atlantic Employers’ Counsel – Fall 2014

December 17, 2014

The Editor’s Corner Clarence Bennett This issue focuses on the family and the interaction between employment and family obligations. As 2014 comes to a close, I would like to extend Seasons Greetings to all of…

Read More

Client Update: Recent Developments: Disability Insurance Policies

December 17, 2014

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: DISABILITY INSURANCE POLICIES & LIMITATION PERIODS IN NOVA SCOTIA Two recent Nova Scotia decisions have clarified the issue of limitation periods in disability insurance policies and “rolling” limitation periods.   THORNTON V. RBC…

Read More

Client Update: Changes to Related Party Election (Section 156 – Excise Tax Act)

December 16, 2014

Section 156 of the Excise Tax Act (the “ETA“) provides an election that relieves certain related parties from having to collect Harmonized Sales Tax (“HST“) on the goods and services sold between them. The election deems qualifying…

Read More

Doing Business in Atlantic Canada (Fall 2014) (Canadian Lawyer Magazine Supplement)

November 20, 2014

IN THIS ISSUE: More Than Wind – Emergence of Tidal Energy in Atlantic Canada by Sadira Jan Aquaculture and Salmon Farming in Atlantic Canada by Greg Harding The Expanding Atlantic Canada Offshore Industry: Growing Offshore without Going Offside by Stephen Penney and Rebecca…

Read More

Search Archive


Scroll To Top