Is Canada’s Legalization Model Running Smoothly?

The countries that legalize cannabis at a federal level often want to make sure the needs of their people are being met, and cannabis legalization is only benefitting the region. Take Canada, for example. In 2018 when it legalized recreational cannabis, it included a provision for review under The Cannabis Act. 

This ‘review’ is sort of your annual checkup at the doctor, making sure everything is running smoothly and making minor changes to help advance to a more beneficial place. Under The Cannabis Act, Canada’s government called for a review of the legal space three years after legalization on October 21, 2021, but that still hasn’t happened yet, according to a report from MJBizDaily. 

Health Canada spokesperson Tammy Jarbeau wrote to the outlet that “Preparations are underway for the launch of the legislative review,” but that’s about all we heard about the review. One of the most important aspects of these assessments is making minor changes to some areas of The Cannabis Act. So far, the country is hoping the review would shed light on the following issues;

• Curbs on marketing and advertising.
• Potency limits on edible cannabis products.
• Regulatory fees.
• Cannabis excise taxes.

There’s still no word on whether Health Canada has started looking into the review, nor has it announced a timeline for when it might take place. But, the report notes that a variety of factors could be responsible for why the country has not made a review of the legalization space a priority.

For starters, the world was under the weight of the global pandemic, and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made things a little more complicated than they had to be with a snap election in 2021.

And it’s not like the review would call for any huge changes to regulations and laws that would potentially result in a dramatic shift, but more so, MJBizDaily notes it will broadly look over the following topics;

• Public health.
• Youth health and cannabis use.
• Indigenous people and communities
• Legal home cannabis cultivation.

When cannabis was first moving into Parliament and being discussed at a federal level, the topics above were seen as controversial or “contentious.” But, rest assured, they’ve become staple aspects for consideration in Canada after three years of legalization. We’ll just have to wait to hear about when this needed “mandatory” review will take place.