Question Period Note: Cannabis Act Legislative Review

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• The Cannabis Act established a new control framework for cannabis designed specifically to better protect public health and public safety, and minimize the harms associated with cannabis use.
• The Act requires a review of the legislation to start three years after coming into force, and a report to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament no later than 18 months after the review begins.
• Our Government is committed to putting into place a credible, evidence-driven process for the legislative review, which will assess the progress made towards achieving the Act’s objectives.
IF PRESSED ON INCLUDING THE MEDICAL ACCESS REGIME IN THE REVIEW (51 words)
• Health Canada is committed to actively monitoring and evaluating patients’ reasonable access to cannabis for medical purposes.
• Health Canada acknowledges the significant stakeholder interest in the access to cannabis for medical purposes framework and recognizes the opportunity that the legislative review presents to hear the views and perspectives of these stakeholders.

The Cannabis Act came into force on October 17, 2018, creating a strict legal framework for controlling the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis across Canada. The Act aims to keep cannabis out of the hands of youth and keep profits out of the pockets of criminals and organized crime.

Section 151.1 of the Cannabis Act requires that the Minister initiate a review of the Act and its administration three years following the coming into force of the Act (i.e., after October 17, 2021), and that a report of the review’s findings be tabled before both Houses of Parliament within 18 months of the start of the review.

The Cannabis Act further stipulates that the review must include an assessment of the impact of the Cannabis Act on public health and, in particular, on: the health and consumption habits of young persons in respect of cannabis use; Indigenous persons and communities; and, the cultivation of cannabis plants in a dwelling-house.

Over the past three years, the Minister of Health, with the support of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Minister of Justice, and together with provinces and territories, as well as Indigenous leaders, have worked diligently to implement the cannabis legislative framework.

The Government of Canada has made progress toward the implementation of the cannabis framework by putting in place measures aimed at protecting children and youth from accessing cannabis; establishing a strictly regulated, legal supply chain for cannabis, and by making significant investments in public education, awareness, research, monitoring and surveillance efforts.

The review provides an initial and early opportunity to assess progress towards achieving the objectives of the Act, and to help ensure that the legislation is meeting the needs and expectations of Canadians through a credible, evidence-driven review process.

Health Canada has been actively monitoring the perspectives of stakeholders, including industry, public health experts, the law enforcement community and is taking into account the views and expectations of stakeholders as we prepare for the review. Particular emphasis has been placed on early engagement with Indigenous communities and to helping ensure that the review process reflects their interests and expectations.

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