Canadian Chamber of Commerce National Cannabis Working Group announces industry-led review of the Cannabis Act

The industry’s review of the Act will be led by Eric Foster, Partner and Leader of the Dentons Canada cannabis practice. Dentons is a global leader in the cannabis industry, providing cannabis industry stakeholders with the full suite of legal services they need in order to grow, protect, operate and finance their businesses, both in Canada and internationally. (File: Pexels photo)

(OTTAWA) – On the second anniversary of the legalization of recreational cannabis for adult use, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s National Cannabis Working Group (the Working Group) is launching an industry-led review of the Cannabis Act (the Act).

The goal of the industry review is to provide recommendations on how the federal government should improve Canada’s legislative and regulatory frameworks for cannabis.

The Act, which came into force on October 17, 2018, requires that the Minister of Health initiate a review of the Act three years following the legalization of recreational cannabis for adult use. The Working Group will begin its work immediately in order to provide comprehensive input into the federal government’s review of the Act, which must be launched no later than October 17, 2021.

The industry’s review of the Act will be led by Eric Foster, Partner and Leader of the Dentons Canada cannabis practice. Dentons is a global leader in the cannabis industry, providing cannabis industry stakeholders with the full suite of legal services they need in order to grow, protect, operate and finance their businesses, both in Canada and internationally.

The review will be supported by the law firm Davies under the leadership of Elisa Kearney, a Partner and recognized lawyer in the cannabis sector. Davies is at the forefront in supporting licensed producers, retailers, multi-national corporations, commercial banks and investment banks in all aspects of the fast-growing cannabis industry.

“As the first among larger developed economies to legalize recreational cannabis for adult use, Canadian cannabis companies have learned first-hand about what parts of the Cannabis Act and associated regulations have worked and what haven’t,” said Ryan Greer, Senior Director, Cannabis Policy at the Chamber and co-chair of the Working Group. “Through this review, the industry will provide thorough recommendations to the federal government about what changes are needed so industry can better compete with the illegal market, create more jobs, maintain Canada’s leadership in global markets and help the government achieve its health and safety objectives.”

The review will begin with a series of virtual roundtable consultations starting this fall, where industry leaders will debate and share ideas on various elements of the Act. The consultation dates are:

• Health Canada service standards, licensing and regulatory burden – Wednesday, November 11, 2020

• Retail, Economic development, retail and environmental sustainability – Wednesday, November 25, 2020

• Marketing, promotions and labelling – Wednesday, December 9, 2020

• Medical Cannabis and Cannabis Health Products – Wednesday, January 20, 2021

• Illicit market and anti-money laundering – Wednesday, February 3, 2021

• Ancillary businesses – Wednesday, February 17, 2021

“I am both honored and excited to be working with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce on this initiative to bring necessary and meaningful change to Canada’s cannabis regulatory regime,” said Mr. Foster.  “Our engagement with leading industry stakeholders will surely result in recommendations that will enable Canada’s cannabis industry to thrive in a safe and responsible manner, in addition to achieving economic benefit for all Canadians.”

For information on attending one or more of the virtual consultation roundtables, please register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cannabis-health-canada-service-standards-licensing-and-regulatory-burden-tickets-125564415547

About the National Cannabis Working Group

Since its launch in June 2019, the Working Group has grown to more than 70 organizations with a shared interested of improving the growth and competitiveness of the Canadian cannabis industry while helping governments achieve their health and safety objectives. Follow us on twitter at @CCC_Cannabis

About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Because Business Matters

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce helps build the businesses that support our families, our communities and our country. We do this by influencing government policy, by providing essential business services and by connecting businesses to information they can use, to opportunities for growth and to a network of local chambers, businesses, decision-makers and peers from across the country, in every sector of the economy and at all levels of government, as well as internationally. We are unapologetic in our support for business and the vital role it plays in building and sustaining our great nation.

About Dentons

Dentons is the world’s largest law firm, connecting talent to the world’s challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons’ legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons’ polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.com

About Davies

Davies is a law firm focused on high-stakes matters. Committed to achieving superior outcomes for our clients, we are consistently at the heart of their most complex deals and cases. To learn more about our cannabis work please visit us at www.dwpv.com.