Canadian cannabis review promises a wider mandate
Focus to include impact on environment
• Finally, starting a year later than required by law, the government's mandated review into the 2018 legalization of cannabis was launched Thursday with the announcement that its scope would be broadened to include impacts on the environment and “Indigenous peoples, racialized communities and women.”
Health Minister Jean-yves Duclos told a press conference that early assessments of how legalization is panning out is essential to framing future cannabis policy in Canada.
“The review will ensure the act adapts to the current situation and continues to meet Canadians' needs and expectations,” he said.
The five- person review panel, chaired by veteran public servant Morris Rosenberg, will advise cabinet on the impact legalization has had on several issues, focusing on the health and cannabis consumption habits of youth, the impact on Indigenous communities, and home cultivation of cannabis plants.
Other members of the review panel will be announced at a later date.
Rosenberg, a three-decade veteran of the government, served as a deputy minister in the governments of Paul Martin, Jean Chretien and Stephen Harper, under the justice, health and foreign affairs portfolios.
He said the uncharted territory uncovered by Canada's cannabis legalization in 2018 underscores the importance of this legislative review.
“The Cannabis Act is a dramatic departure from the prohibition and criminal law approach that was the way we dealt with cannabis for the past 100 years or so,” he said.
“This review can be helpful in examining how successful the legislation and the measures taken to implement it have been in fulfilling its public health and public safety goals, and in enabling the establishment of a diverse and competitive cannabis industry.”
After retiring from the public service in 2013, Rosenberg served as president and CEO of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation until 2018.
On Thursday, it was announced the panel's scope will broaden to encompass such issues as the economic, social and environmental impacts of the act, progress in deterring the black market, how legalization changed access to medical marijuana, and “impacts on Indigenous peoples, racialized communities and women” who face greater harm or barriers in participating in the legal cannabis industry.
George Smitherman, president and CEO of the Cannabis Council of Canada, said he's pleased to see the scope broadened to include issues that directly impact the industry.
“Our primary concern will continue to be a commitment to act urgently on urgent matters, rather than necessarily have a process that goes 18 months in a report-writing phase,” he said.
Omar Khan, senior vice-president of corporate and public affairs at cannabis retailer High Tide, told the National Post it was encouraging to see the review expand its scope, and that the government seems keen on stamping out the illicit market.
“Many in the cannabis industry have felt ignored by this government over the last four years,” he said.
"Today's announcement is a first step toward changing that perception.”
Many smaller players, Khan said, won't be around in 18 months to see the review to its conclusion, and was happy to hear Toronto-area MP Nathaniel Erskine-smith — co-chair of the government's all-party cannabis caucus — suggest that shorter-term resolutions to serious industry problems may be coming.
Sources say the review, which according to the Cannabis Act should have occurred last year, was supposed to be announced last week, but was put off after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The launch of the review also came with the release of an online engagement paper, entitled Taking Stock of Progress: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation in Canada.
The review will include input from the public — those wishing to make their views known can take part in an online questionnaire until Nov. 21.
One aspect where Canada's pot laws fall short, say experts, are edibles — where government- mandated 10 mg THC limits make higher- potency black market products a more attractive option.
Erskine-smith told reporters the goal of any legalization framework is replacing and eventually supplanting the illegal marijuana trade.
“I would always add that we should treat Canadians like responsible adults,” he said.
“We need to give Canadians choice in doing so, and responsible adults without choice are going to seek out cheaper alternatives, and they're going to seek out avenues where there is greater choice.”
RESPONSIBLE ADULTS WITHOUT CHOICE ARE GOING TO SEEK OUT CHEAPER ALTERNATIVES.