Canada Reviews the Full Impact of Marijuana Legalization, Four Years Later

In October 2018, Canada became the 1st G7 country to legalize recreational cannabis by passing the Cannabis Act into law. The Cannabis Act was created to serve two main goals. The first was to “protect the health and safety of Canadians.” The second was to create a competitive legal market that would displace the illicit market.

From the start, the Cannabis Act had a provision requiring a periodic review of cannabis regulations to ensure that the act adapts to the current situation and continues to meet the needs of Canadians.

Mr. Rosenberg who's had a very distinguished career in the public service (minister of health, justice, and public affairs) is expected to chair the review committee. He will be supported by four other members with experience in public health and safety.

The act stipulates that the review must evaluate the impact that legalizing cannabis has had on the youth, indigenous people and communities, and women who may be at a greater risk or face more obstacles in trying to gain entry into the legal industry. It will also assess the impact of the cultivation of cannabis on housing.

The Act will be broadened to include the economic social and environmental impact of cannabis legalization.  The review will also strengthen adult access to strictly regulated and lower-risk cannabis. The review will also assess the progress made towards displacing the illicit cannabis market and recommend whether there's a need to have a separate framework to increase access to medical cannabis.

The expert panel will consult the public, stakeholders from indigenous groups, and the cannabis community. The review is expected to run for a period of eighteen months.