Engagement Summary

In April 2017, the Government of Canada introduced the Cannabis Act and amendments to the Criminal Code to address cannabis impaired driving with plans to make non-medical cannabis legal in Canada by July 2018.



To prepare for July 2018, the Province of British Columbia conducted a five week public and stakeholder engagement on the legalization and regulation of non-medical cannabis to help ensure that the provincial regulatory framework reflects the needs and values of British Columbians.



During the engagement period, citizens were invited to complete an online feedback form to provide their views on a number of topics such as minimum age, personal possession limits, public consumption, drug-impaired driving, personal cultivation, and distribution and retail models. Government also received written submissions from organizations including local governments, school districts, cannabis industry, advocacy groups and law enforcement. In addition, a random telephone survey was conducted from a representative cross-section of British Columbians.



Engagement with local governments, Indigenous governments and organizations, and stakeholders from law enforcement, health, agriculture and other sectors is ongoing.



The results from the online feedback form, written submissions and telephone survey have been compiled and can be found in the Cannabis Regulation in B.C. What We Heard Report.



View all written submissions received from organizations in 3 parts: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3.

Timeframe:

September 25 to November 1, 2017



Input received:

127,952 visits to the B.C. Cannabis Regulation Engagement website

48,151 online feedback forms completed

145 written submissions from organizations

800 telephone surveys completed from a representative cross-section of British Columbians

Input leads to action:

The feedback collected through this engagement process will help ensure the provincial regulatory framework for non-medical cannabis reflects the needs and values of British Columbians, while prioritizing the protection of young people, health and safety, keeping the criminal element out of cannabis and keeping roads safe.

Visit this site regularly for updates on B.C.’s approach to non-medical cannabis laws and regulations.



