With public health and safety as the top priority, the Province has introduced legislation to provide for legal, controlled access to non-medical cannabis in British Columbia.

“The legislation introduced today provides a sound foundation for the regulation and safe implementation of legalized cannabis in British Columbia,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “This marks a major milestone, and puts our province in position to not only be ready for federal cannabis legalization in late summer, but does so in a way that reflects the Province’s goals for legalized cannabis that prioritize public health and safety, particularly for our children and youth.”

The proposed Cannabis Distribution Act (CDA) will establish the Province’s exclusive jurisdiction over wholesale distribution of cannabis, and provide authority for public retail sales.

The proposed Cannabis Control and Licensing Act (CCLA) establishes provincial control over the sale, supply and possession of non-medical cannabis, and establishes licensing of private cannabis retailers, including registration and training requirements for those who will work in cannabis retail. The act outlines restrictions on the possession, personal cultivation and consumption of cannabis by adults and prohibitions for minors.

In addition, the act includes an extensive compliance and enforcement regime to ensure legalization of non-medical cannabis protects children and youth, prioritizes public health and safety, keeps cannabis out of the hands of criminals and keeps roads safe. A key component of this enforcement regime will be a new community safety unit that will target illegal sellers.

The Province engaged local governments, and Indigenous governments and organizations as part of the development of the CDA and CCLA. Engagement with these governments and organizations is ongoing.

In addition, amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) will address drug-affected driving in British Columbia. A first phase of proposed amendments to the MVA will provide police with additional tools to remove drug-affected drivers from the road.

“As I’ve said before, the date set by the federal government for cannabis legalization will just be the beginning. B.C. will monitor implementation and make any necessary adjustments to provincial regulations to ensure our provincial goals are being met,” said Farnworth.

The legislature will now take time to debate and review the proposed pieces of legislation, before they are finalized and passed into law. Provincial implementation timelines are dependent upon the proposed federal legislation receiving royal assent.

In anticipation of federal legalization, the Province will focus on the development of the regulations and supporting policies to prepare for the legalization of non-medical cannabis in British Columbia. Prior to legalization, Government will also launch public awareness and education campaigns related to the health impacts of cannabis use and the risks of drug-affected driving.

Additionally, the Liquor Distribution Branch, B.C.’s wholesale distributor of non-medical cannabis, is expected to open the first government-operated retail store by late summer, and is working to implement an e-commerce solution to offer online sales to the public. The brand identity and logo for BC Cannabis Stores, developed in-house, will be featured on store fronts and within print material. For further details, visit: http://www.bcldbcannabisupdates.com

Until laws change, the use of non-medical cannabis is still illegal in British Columbia.

Quick Facts:

The proposed federal Cannabis Act was introduced on April 13, 2017, and is expected to come into force in late summer 2018.

The proposed federal Cannabis Act will create a strict legal framework for controlling the production, distribution, sale and possession of non-medical cannabis across Canada.

Federal regulation of edible cannabis products is expected to follow within one year.

Under the proposed federal act, provinces and territories will regulate distribution and retail of non-medical cannabis, minimum age, public consumption, personal cultivation, possession limits and drug-affected driving in their respective jurisdictions.

Learn More:

To read the proposed legislation, visit: https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/legislation-debates-proceedings/41st-parliament/3rd-session/bills/progress-of-bills

To learn more about B.C.’s legislative process, visit: https://www.crownpub.bc.ca/Product/Details/7665005851_S

To find more detail on B.C.’s non-medical cannabis retail framework, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/employment-business-and-economic-development/business-management/liquor-regulation-licensing/documents/5847_cannabis_privateretailguide_v03.pdf

The draft federal Cannabis Act (Bill C-45) can be found here: http://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=8886269

To learn more about the current status of cannabis laws in Canada, and the work being done to legalize and regulate it, visit the Government of Canada’s online resource: www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/justice/legalization-regulation-marijuana.html

A backgrounder follows.