Canada celebrates 4th anniversary of legal weed

When The Cannabis Act was passed in 2018, Canada became the second country in the world to legalize the sale, possession, and non-medical use of marijuana by adults.

Now, four years on, the federal government is reviewing the law to see if its meeting Canadians’ needs. Morris Rosenberg, the former deputy minister of justice, will chair an expert panel for that purpose.

Similarly, the Ontario Cannabis Store recently announced a “holistic review” of its pricing. Other provincial and territorial governments should follow these examples and likewise start looking for improvements in their cannabis rules.

The Act aims to accomplish three goals: To keep cannabis out of the hands of youth, to keep profits out of the pockets of criminals, and to protect public health and safety by allowing adults access to legal cannabis.

The industry grew quickly — even the pandemic didn’t slow it down — and Canada now has more than 3,300 licensed stores. Legal cannabis products are more accessible than ever.

Legal products also became more competitive with illegal ones thanks to dry cannabis prices dropping 25 per cent since 2018.

The federal government’s review only covers things within its jurisdiction, like producers, products, and pardons. Since the provinces regulate retailing and consumption, it’s crucial they review their rules as well.