Weed brownies could hit stores in time for Christmas

Weed brownies could hit stores just in time for Christmas. Health Canada announced Friday that Canadians can expect to see a limited selection of cannabis-infused edibles, extracts and topicals on the recreational market “no earlier than mid-December 2019.”

The products will become legal on Oct. 17, exactly one year after recreational cannabis stores first opened, but officials say licensed producers will need time to “become familiar with and prepare to comply with the new rules.”

But some in the industry are criticizing the rules for being too strict.

Regulations for the products — also finalized Friday — put limits on THC that are significantly lower than what is available on the black market and in some legal recreational markets in the U.S., which some say will create too much packaging and lead to excessive waste.

A single package of edibles, which could contain multiple gummies, brownies or cookies, can have no more than 10 milligrams of THC, the main psychoactive component found in cannabis. That’s 10 times less than what California, Colorado and Washington states allow for a single package of edibles.

“While for the general public I think 10 milligrams might be a good dose, I think there are those that need significantly higher amounts than that,” said Deepak Anand, CEO of Toronto-based cannabis supply and distribution company Materia Ventures.

“I think what this is going to do is, if you now want 50 mg of THC, you’re going to have to go through five packages, which is just going to result in a lot of packaging waste.”

Sébastien Bouchard, a spokesperson for Mississauga-based licensed producer the Green Organic Dutchman, approves the government’s effort to promote responsible consumption, but he also has concerns about waste.

Extracts will be capped at 10 mg of THC per capsule or 1,000 mg per package, so one package could contain up to 100 capsules. Companies will be prohibited from using sweeteners, colourants or other ingredients that could “increase the appeal” for minors.

Topicals, like creams and makeup, will be allowed 1,000 mg of THC per package.

Unlike the U.S., where companies often use bright and colourful branding for their products, Canadian pot products will require plain packaging that is child-resistant, displays a standardized cannabis symbol and a health warning, like the dried flower and oils currently on the market. The products will not be allowed to make any claims about health benefits or nutrition.

Health Canada did not stray far from its draft regulations released in December 2018, so companies mostly knew more or less what to expect on Friday.

Troy Dezwart, executive director of Alberta-based licensed producer Freedom Cannabis, said the regulations are “safe and responsible,” but will have to loosen up in the future for the legal market to compete with the black market.

Kayla Mann, marketing manager with the Kelowna, B.C.based Valens GroWorks Corporation, which extracts cannabis for 10 licensed producers, said the plain packaging rules present challenges but could ultimately encourage better products.

Edibles will probably be a major part of Canada’s recreational cannabis scene.