Government of Canada to review the Cannabis Act

Canada's Ministers of Health announced the legislative review of the Cannabis Act, which should focus on various social aspects of the full legalization of cannabis. An independent panel of experts, chaired by Morris Rosenberg, will conduct a thorough review of the impacts of legalization in the country. The government intends that the revision will help the legislation adapt to the current situation so that it continues to meet the needs and expectations of the citizens of Canada.

Several public consultations are planned by the expert panel, which aims to engage with the public, governments, indigenous peoples, youth, marginalized and racialized communities, representatives of the cannabis industry and people who use cannabis for medicinal purposes. The panel will also meet with experts in relevant areas such as public health, substance use, criminal justice, law enforcement and healthcare.

The revision of the legislation was already recommended in the Canadian legislation. Ministers say the reassessment will help the legislation adapt to the current situation so that it continues to meet the needs and expectations of Canadian citizens.

The expert panel, which will comprise four members in addition to Morris Rosenberg, to be appointed by the government, will provide expert and independent advice to both Ministers on the progress made towards achieving the objectives of the Act and will help identify priority areas to improve the functioning of the legislation.

The Canadian Cannabis Act provides for the review to focus in particular on the health and cannabis use habits of young people, the impact of cannabis on indigenous people and communities, and the impact of growing cannabis plants in a housing context. The dashboard will expand that focus to include:

• Economic, social and environmental impacts of the Law;
• Progress towards providing adults with access to legally regulated and lower risk cannabis products;
• Progress achieved in deterring criminal activities and displacing the illicit cannabis market;
• Impact of legalization and regulation on access to medical cannabis;
• Impacts on indigenous peoples, communities of color and women who may be at greater risk of harm or face greater barriers to participation in the legal sector, based on identity or socio-economic factors.

The government also created the questionnaire “Taking Stock of Progress: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation in Canada” , where it invites the general public to share their views on Canadian cannabis legislation.