Cannabis edibles will soon be available in Calgary
As we near the one-year anniversary of the date that recreational cannabis became legal across Canada, the market is now preparing for the introduction of new kinds of cannabis products. They include:
- Cannabis edibles (candy, baked goods, beverages)
- Cannabis extracts (for inhaling or ingesting)
- Cannabis topicals (ointments, oils or makeup for applying to skin, hair or nails)
Federal regulations that allow for the legal sale of cannabis edibles, extracts and topicals will come into effect on October 17, 2019. However, it will take time for these products to be available for sale. Federally licensed producers must first get approval from Health Canada to produce the products, and authorized distributors and retailers will need time to receive them. It is expected that they will be available for sale no earlier than mid-December 2019.
The comprehensive federal regulations for cannabis edibles, extracts and topicals include restrictions on THC limits, strict rules for plain, child-resistant packaging, and labelling requirements. An infographic with complete regulations is available here.
These cannabis products will be available through Alberta’s existing retail system – online through AlbertaCannabis.org or at a licensed cannabis retail store. In preparation for the 2018 legalization of cannabis, Calgary developed an application process for cannabis stores and cannabis facilities. Permitting information for cannabis businesses in Calgary can be found here.
“As cannabis edibles become available, we’d like to remind Calgarians that in Calgary, cannabis may be consumed on private property or in designated festival/event areas in any form, including smoking, vaping or edibles,” says Matt Zabloski, The City of Calgary’s project lead for the legalization of cannabis. “Consumption of non-medical cannabis is prohibited in any form in Calgary’s public places.”
Calgary’s cannabis regulations are based on many considerations including the feedback that Calgarians gave us through extensive research and engagement that took place in 2017 and 2018.
“Overall, Calgary’s Cannabis Consumption Bylaw has worked well in the first year of legalization,” says Zabloski. “Nine festivals and events applied to have Designated Cannabis Consumption Areas over the summer, and the feedback received was generally quite positive.”
For more information on Calgary’s regulations around cannabis, visit calgary.ca/cannabis.
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