Health Canada has finalized regulations for the second wave of cannabis legation, bringing legal sales of edibles, extracts and topical to Canadians.
But the Canadian Health Food Association says the rules “make it easier to get high and not to get well.”
“There is currently a glaring gap in the market for Canadians who want access to CBD for its non-intoxicating health benefits and for Canada’s safe and reputable natural health products industry who are ready and willing to meet these market demands,” CHFA said in a statement.
“Canada has the potential to be a world leader in the multi-billion dollar CBD market, and we’re currently missing the boat on innovation in the health sector with a strict focus on the recreational market – to the detriment of Canada’s renowned and regulated natural health products market,” the statement reads. “The Government continues to ignore the many Canadians wishing to get well, not high.”
We agree on the importance of understanding the unique health/safety risks of #edibles, by overlooking the clear health benefits of #CBD and injecting it into recreational markets means it is harder for Cdns to #getwellnothigh. For our official statement: https://t.co/uG4c5YCx3P https://t.co/RBg2VL84vl
— CHFA (@cdnhealthfood) June 14, 2019
According to Health Canada, the second wave of cannabis legalization will come into force on Oct. 17, 2019, however products are expected to “gradually” appear in stories, no earlier than mid-December.
License holders will need to provide 60-days notice to Health Canada of their intent to sell new products.
In the June 14 news release announcing the finalized regulations, Health Canada states “protecting the health and safety of Canadians is a top priority for the Government of Canada. That is why the Government implemented a strict legal framework to regulate and restrict access to cannabis keeping it out of the hands of youth, and profits out of the pockets of criminals and organized crime.”
Health Canada advises users of products to “start low” and “go slow.”
Once legalized, edible cannabis products can contain up to a maximum of 10 mg of THC (although the government advises looking for products that contain 2.5mg or less).
To minimize risks, new or inexperienced #cannabis consumers should look for edible cannabis products containing 2.5 mg of THC or less. It can take up to 4 hours to feel the full effects, but you can still be impaired. #CDNCannabisReg https://t.co/jBsVTDmXyZ pic.twitter.com/pHuxWhh32C
— GovCanHealth (@GovCanHealth) June 14, 2019
