Cannabis stands as one of the extensively consumed substances in Canada, with nearly 50% of Canadians disclosing their past use. In October 2018, Canada achieved the distinction of being the second country globally to legalize the sale, possession, and non-medical consumption of cannabis by adults, building on the previous legalization for medical purposes nearly twenty years earlier. Simultaneously, amendments to impaired driving laws were implemented, reinforcing measures to protect the health and safety of Canadians.
The primary objectives of the Cannabis Act revolve around three key public health aims: preventing youth access to cannabis, eliminating criminal profits, and ensuring public health and safety by providing legal access to adults. It is within the authority of provinces and territories to decide on the distribution and sale of cannabis in their respective regions. Additionally, each province and territory have the flexibility to impose extra restrictions, such as regulating possession limits, personal cultivation, public use, and adjusting the minimum age for cannabis use.
Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth & protection of the country.
Thomas Jefferson
What is legal as of October 17, 2018
- possess up to 30 grams of legal cannabis
- share up to 30 grams of legal cannabis with other adults
- buy cannabis and cannabis oil from a provincially-licensed retailer
- grow, from licensed seed or seedlings, up to 4 cannabis plants per residence for personal use
- make restricted cannabis products
Possessions limits for cannabis products
One (1) gram of dried cannabis is equal to:
- 5 grams of fresh cannabis
- 15 grams of edible product
- 70 grams of liquid product
- 0.25 grams of concentrates (solid or liquid)
- 1 cannabis plant seed
This means, for example, that an adult 18 years of age or older, can legally possess 150 grams of fresh cannabis.
Cannabis use before legalization had been steadily increasing over the last 30 years
In the inaugural year of non-medical cannabis legalization, legal sales were restricted to dried cannabis, fresh cannabis, cannabis oil, cannabis plants, and cannabis seeds. However, as of October 17, 2019, the scope of legally producible and sellable products expanded to encompass a broader range, incorporating cannabis extracts, edibles, and topicals.
Cannabis continue to change from 2018 to 2020
The regulation of cannabis remains a shared responsibility of the federal, provincial and territorial governments. Provinces and territories are responsible for regulating cannabis sales and distribution in their jurisdiction. They also have the flexibility to establish more stringent controls, such as further restrictions for personal (home) cultivation, restricting public use and access to some products, or increasing the minimum legal age.
How to read a cannabis package
The cannabinoid content will appear in two ways:
1. THC and CBD is the amount of THC and CBD that is active in the product without heating it
2. Total THC or Total CBD is how much THC and CBD there will be after it is heated
Here are examples based on types of products:
| Type of product | Measurement | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dried or fresh cannabis | Percentage (%) or milligrams (mg) per weight of product | THC 0.7% or 7 mg/gramTotal THC 14% or 140 mg/gram |
| Edibles | Per unit or per package | A package with 2 cookies may be labeled as:THC 5 mg per unit, Total THC 5 mg per unitTHC 10 mg, Total THC 10 mg per package |
| Other products (pre-rolls, oils or capsules) | Milligrams (mg) per single unitMilliliter (ml) per dose | THC 2.5 mg/unit, Total THC 2.5 mg/unitTHC 10.5 mg/ml, Total THC 10.5 mg/ml |
In the great Canadian mosaic, cannabis has woven itself into the fabric of leisure, providing a new palette for relaxation and enjoyment. As the green wave continues to roll across the country, Canadians find themselves not just toking, but baking, sipping, and applying cannabis-infused delights, fostering a culture of chill vibes and shared laughs, truly making the most of the high life. Cheers to Canada, where cannabis has become a delightful companion on the journey of joy and relaxation!
