Reasons to legalize and regulate cannabis
The new legal framework takes a public health approach to cannabis legalization and regulation.
The new law will help to:
- better prevent youth from accessing cannabis
- displace the illegal cannabis market
- protect public health and safety with product quality and safety requirements for cannabis
Growing
The Cannabis Act will permit adults to cultivate up to 4 cannabis plants per household (not per person). Provinces and territories have the flexibility to apply added restrictions on personal cultivation. There are recommended safety and security measures for growing plants that should be considered, such as safe storage and proper ventilation.
Driving
Cannabis, like many other drugs, slows the reaction time of drivers and increases the chances of being in a collision. If a police officer finds that a driver is impaired by any drug, including cannabis, the driver may face criminal offences including:
- An immediate licence suspension
- Financial penalties
- Possible vehicle impoundment
- Possible criminal record
- Possible jail time
Where is cannabis permitted in Chatham-Kent?
For more information on Chatham-Kent by-law, click here.
Supplying to Minors (Persons under 19 Years of Age)
No person may sell or provide cannabis to any person under the age of 18. The Act creates 2 new criminal offences, with maximum penalties of 14 years in jail, for:
- giving or selling cannabis to youth
- using a youth to commit a cannabis-related offence
Similar to the current restrictions on advertising for tobacco products, the Cannabis Act helps discourage youth cannabis use by prohibiting:
- products that are appealing to youth
- packaging or labelling cannabis in a way that makes it appealing to youth
- selling cannabis through self-service displays or vending machines
- promoting cannabis, except in narrow circumstances where young people could not see the promotion
Penalties for violating these prohibitions include a fine of up to $5 million or 3 years in jail.
For more information on Cannabis Legalization, click here.