Five years into cannabis legalization, how has Canada done against their objectives?
Before heading into next week’s Cannabis Council of Canada's industry lobbying event Grass on the Hill, the Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act panel has released their “What We Heard Report”, to share a summary of the feedback they’ve accumulated since December 2022.
While the report provides a summary of the evidence collected, it also highlights the disparities that continue to proliferate throughout the original legislation that set down the tracks for Canada’s cannabis industry. Five years ago, we implemented the initial framework as cautiously as we could. And now, even public health stakeholders agree the main objective of the cannabis framework should continue to be the protection of public health, and that policies should aim to transition existing consumers from the illicit market to the legal market to reduce health risks associated with illicit products. So, why aren’t we doing that?
With ambition in our minds and meaningful impact in our hearts, this legislation originally set out to protect public health and public safety, by providing access to a quality-controlled supply of cannabis, and by enhancing public awareness of the health risks associated with cannabis use. However, somewhere between ideation and implementation, education took a backseat. In my opinion, the biggest gap in current Cannabis Act regulations is the lack of focused education to disseminate information to deter underage consumption, promote public health advocacy, and ultimately help Canada achieve the goals it set out by legalizing cannabis in 2018.
Education-first approach to empower consumers and open-up regulations
Through education that focuses on sharing research and allows consumers to make informed choices around consumption.
This concept of increased, focused education would flow through our society and address current legislative shortcomings and industry concerns, including:
Youth access: We should adopt a similar approach to alcohol education and focus on highlighting the benefits to cerebral development obtained through delayed consumption. Taking an education-first approach to youth consumption would allow us to engage in a conversation that focuses on ‘not now’ to explain why cannabis should only be consumed once the brain has reached maturity, rather than relying on an abstinence-driven approach.
Impact on mental health: Academic studies regarding the impact between cannabis use and mental health have been inconsistently deployed yielding mixed results since legalization. From my own experience as a medical cannabis consumer, the lack of clear education between how cannabis engages with mental health or interacts with medication, means that this continues to be an area where we expect the patient to research and advocate for themselves. Research to guide education, reduce stigma, and the implementation of mandatory clinical education so that healthcare practitioners can adequately support patients is desperately needed.
THC potency limitations: Focusing on education to ensure consumers understand onset, dosing, and intended effect would allow THC potency on products like edibles to increase, transitioning consumers to the legal market, and empowering them to make informed decisions on desired effect.
Consistent implementation from coast-to-coast
The current approach to allow municipalities to opt-out of the legal cannabis industry has not discouraged cannabis use in those cities – it has only served to increase market access to the illicit cannabis industry. In addition, the federal framework should be adjusted to make provincial policies surrounding product-availability consistent to discourage the illicit market from propping-up access to those products. For example, with the intention to discourage products that may be more attractive to youths, Quebec has banned the sale of legal cannabis vapes within the province. Undoubtedly, this has not discouraged consumer demand for these products. Prohibition of specific products has only served to expand illicit market offerings, adding unregulated, untraced, untested products, and potentially putting consumers at risk of consuming unknown, harmful diluents.
This lobbying day, lets realign our focus and unite our voice
We want – and deserve – a federal cannabis framework that works and supports the Act’s public health intentions. For those who work in, adjacent to, or are concerned about the lasting legacy of Canada’s cannabis bet, now is our time to remind our MP’s that our industry is an economic driver that has brought our country to the forefront of the global stage. With this responsibility comes the requirement to lead with purpose and support the cannabis industry to ensure this sector has the opportunity to succeed.
With progress in mind and an independent voice, I’m excited to unite with my former colleagues and industry peers on 10/17 to advocate as one force – see you there!
