Question Period Note: Cannabis

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• Since 2018, our Government has implemented a robust public health approach to keeping cannabis out of the hands of youth and ensuring adults have access to a quality-controlled and regulated supply, while reducing the illicit market.
• Since legalization, rates of use among youth have not changed significantly, and more Canadians who consume cannabis are purchasing from legal retailers.
If pressed on legislative review
• Health Canada is pleased to have received the Expert Panel’s final report, and the Government has tabled the report in Parliament on March 21, 2024.   
• Health Canada thanks Mr. Morris Rosenberg and members of the Expert Panel for their commitment and dedication to leading the evidence-based and inclusive review of the Cannabis Act.    
• Health Canada is carefully reviewing and analyzing the report and its recommendations. 
• The Panel’s findings will help inform Health Canada’s ongoing efforts to improve the operation and administration of Canada’s cannabis control framework.
If pressed on Review of the Medical Access Regime
• The Government actively monitors the medical access program and committed to evaluate the framework within the legislative review of the Cannabis Act.
• The Expert Panel considered the medical access program in their review and made recommendations related to medical access.
• Health Canada is carefully reviewing and analyzing the Expert Panel’s recommendations. 
If pressed on non-compliant edible cannabis products that exceed the regulatory limit for THC
• The Cannabis Act and its regulations were designed first and foremost to protect public health and public safety.
• Health Canada is aware of non-compliance regarding edible cannabis products with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) quantities that exceed the allowable 10 mg per container limit.
• Health Canada is working with regulated parties to ensure that they understand and comply with the regulatory requirements.
If pressed on illegal cannabis products targeted at youth
• The Cannabis Act aims to protect youth from the risks of cannabis, including restricting promotion; prohibiting products and packaging appealing to youth; and setting THC limits.
• Illegal edible cannabis often mimics common snacks and candy, and may contain harmful levels of contaminants and dangerously high levels of THC.
• The Act gives law enforcement tools to crackdown on illegal sales, including those targeting youth.
• Health Canada continues to educate Canadians to understand the difference between legal and illegal cannabis and the health and safety risks.
If pressed on youth-oriented public education campaign
• We invested in evidence-based campaigns to educate youth and young adults on risks and harms of cannabis.
• In 2018, Health Canada launched Pursue Your Passion, a campaign that visited high schools and universities across the country.
• The campaign has been updated to be a teacher-led presentation for youth to include information on the different methods of consumption and effects of cannabis on mental health.
• The Department also launched an updated version as a virtual, ambassador-led presentation, visiting over 500 schools between March 2023 and March 2024.
• The Department continues to work on additional efforts to educate youth and young adults on cannabis, and more broadly, polysubstance use and mental health.

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