Cannabis Legalisation and Regulations in Canada
CANNABIS LEGALISATION AND REGULATIONS IN CANADA BACKGROUND AND CHALLENGES IVANA OBRADOVIC MEMO NO. 2018-04 SAINT-DENIS, 11 OCTOBER 2018 OVERVIEW Following Uruguay in 2013, Canada is the second country in the world – the first in G7 – that has officially legalised the production, distribution and possession of cannabis for recreational use. Starting October 17, 2018, Canadian adults have been legally able to purchase recreational cannabis produced under licence, to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis and, in most provinces, to grow up to four cannabis plants at home. Canada is the first federal state to propose a decentralised model for the regulation of cannabis. The federal Cannabis Act has introduced an approach focused on public health and youth safety: it creates a strict legal framework to control the production, distribution, sales and possession of cannabis throughout Canada. Federal, provincial and territorial governments share responsibility for overseeing the cannabis regulation system. Conspicuously, provinces and territories have had to figure out their own regulation systems for the distribution Introduction 2 and sale of cannabis and all related safety measures Why legalisation? Context, dynamic and objectives of the reform 2 (for the minimum legal age, quantities and place Context and dynamic of the reform 2 of purchase or use, etc.), whereas municipalities Situational analysis of substance use 2 have the possibility to control use at local level, History of drug reforms 3 even though it remains illegal to transport cannabis A political and electoral argument 3 outside Canadian borders (regardless of quantity). Regain control of the medical cannabis market 5 Eradicating the black market 6 The implementation of this reform involves various Sizeable financial interests 6 jurisdiction levels and diverse regulation systems Legalisation for greater control: the challenge of regulation 7 across the country.
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