Notice
Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act: Release of Expert Panel’s What We Heard Report
The Expert Panel conducting the legislative review of the Cannabis Act has published its report entitled Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act – What We Heard Report [https://canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/laws-regulations/cannabis-act-legislative-review/expert-panel/legislative-review-cannabis-act-report.html]. The report is a summary of what the Expert Panel heard during its engagement activities conducted between December 2022 and June 2023.
Pursuant to a statutory requirement of the Cannabis Act, the Expert Panel is assessing progress made towards achieving the Cannabis Act’s objectives and on the identification of areas to improve the functioning of the framework. This includes assessing the impact of cannabis on Indigenous persons and communities.
As summarized in the What We Heard report, the Expert Panel engaged with almost 500 stakeholders in nearly 90 meetings as part of its first phase of work. This has included meetings with First Nations communities, organizations and leaders.
The next phase of the Expert Panel’s work includes the development of its final report for the Minister of Health and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, which will continue to be informed by engagement activities throughout the Fall of 2023. This will include additional meetings with First Nations communities, organizations and leaders.
The final report will provide advice and recommendations on areas of the legislative framework or its implementation that could be improved or reformed. It is required to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament by March 2024.
The Expert Panel continues to welcome written submissions as it develops the final report. Submissions can be sent to legreview-examenleg@hc-sc.gc.ca or to the following mailing address:
Cannabis Act Legislative Review Secretariat
Health Canada
Address locator 0302I
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9