By GotLeaf
So-Called Legalization 2.0
Up until October 17, 2018, cannabis legalization in Canada has been a tricky subject. The cultivation, distribution, and consumption of cannabis in Canada were forbidden since 1923, and it was on July 30, 2001, that it was allowed its use for medical treatments under specific health regulation.
The use of cannabis for the recreational purpose was only recently discussed, the Cannabis Act started to take form in November 2017, and was approved almost a year later.
What is Legalization 2.0?
The legalization announced in 2018, while affirming that those found in possession of recreational cannabis were not going to be punished by law, didn’t make any mention about edibles.
The products that became legal were dried and fresh flowers, leaves, oils, seeds, and even pre-rolled joints.
But there were no mentions about buying edibles or other products that included cannabis in their ingredients.
Therefore, Legislation 2.0 was announced to be implemented on October 17, 2019. It is a significant improvement of the Cannabis Act, which includes health regulations for topicals and edibles in Canada.
Implementing this legalization will leave an open door for an already flourishing market, from beverages, body lotions, and even cannabis extract. Already at the beginning of 2019, there was a rise in the stores for recreational cannabis.
It is safe to assume that once the legislation is active, there will be a rush of new cannabis-based products to be acquired in Cannabis stores. It is estimated that such products will be available in mid-December this year.
What’s Legal Right Now?
Currently, consumers can have access to medical and recreational cannabis and to the plant itself. With the legislation in 2018, included as legal was the seeds for its cultivations, allowing the consumers to grow the cannabis on the safety of their homes.
Users of cannabis can buy dried flower to make joints for recreational and medical purpose. They can also buy seeds, capsules and pre-rolled joints for those who don’t know how to roll them. The use of sublingual sprays and oils are also legal now.
2.0
What Will Be Legal After This Move?
The legalization 2.0 will expand the health regulation license to many edibles in Canada.
This will mean that an existent but hidden market will soon start to promote their products, and buying edibles will be available in legal cannabis stores. There are already many black market online stores with exciting edible products that already ship products to Canadian homes.
The most common edible products are the ones related to sweets and cakes. Coffee cakes, tarts, cookies, and of course brownies, are trendy online and are promoted as breakfast snacks or desserts. There are also candy, chocolates, and gummies in the shape of cannabis flower for those with a sweet tooth.
Consumers will be able to find also non-alcoholic beverages infused with cannabis, which won’t be available for some time.
What Are Its Limits?
Once the legislation is approved, there will be a few notes that companies that develop these edible products must take into consideration. One of the things is that their amount of THC, which is the main psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, has to be less than 10 mg per package in any edible product.
Health restrictions authorities have also declared that those packages of edible products have to be children-proof and that their appearance must not be appealing or attractive.
Also, it is forbidden to sell edibles that mix cannabis with alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine.
Where Could Legalization Go Next?
Legalization is a big step for any government. By legalizing and regulating cannabis, they prevent the growth of black markets that sell products that may not be as healthy or safe. The regulated products will not only be more robust but also cheaper (eventually) and more accessible for the users.
The cultivation of the plant allows the consumers to obtain their product more safely, whether it is for medical or recreational purposes.
The next step should be making the medical cannabis tax-free. Those patients shouldn’t pay additional fees for their medication.
Canada is currently the second country to regulate and legalize the use of cannabis after Uruguay and is on the way to becoming a 100% controlled cannabis country. These should open the barriers to other countries to take them as an example.
