Cannabis

Marijuana plant leaves.

Major changes to cannabis laws in Canada are here, as Bill C-45, An Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts (the Cannabis Act) came into effect on October 17, 2018. The Cannabis Act legalizes access to and use of adult use/recreational cannabis. With the Cannabis Act now in force, Canadian businesses that may be impacted should be cognizant of the resulting legal implications.

The legalized recreational cannabis market will have a significant impact on the Canadian economy. The end of recreational cannabis prohibition brings with it new opportunities for your business, regulatory complexities, and at present, a degree of complexity as the federal and provincial governments have developed regimes governing the production, sale and distribution of recreational use cannabis (for example, the Ontario government passed Bill 36, the Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018).

Anchored by our experience advising clients in highly regulated industries and our deep expertise in capital markets, M&A, venture capital and investment transactions, lawyers in Osler’s Cannabis Group advise licensed producers, investors, innovators and other industry participants on the full range of legal issues impacting this burgeoning industry. Osler is ideally positioned to advise on the legal and regulatory framework that will govern cannabis-related businesses.

Learn more about provincial and territorial legislation and get an overview of the cannabis adult-use regulation in Canada.

As one of Canada’s leading business law firms, we have deep expertise in the core areas of law impacted by the legalization of recreational cannabis. We understand not only the legislation, but the commercial, cultural and political dynamics at play. We will keep this page updated as key events unfold so check back regularly.

External resources

Government of Canada: Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis

Government of Canada

Learn about the current status of cannabis (marijuana) laws in Canada, and the work being done to legalize and regulate it. Read more.

Current Cannabis Laws

Department of Justice

The Cannabis Act creates a strict legal framework for controlling the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis across Canada.  Read more.

North American Marijuana Index

The Marijuana Index

The North American Marijuana Index tracks the leading cannabis stocks operating in the United States and Canada. Read more.

 

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Michael Watts

Partner, Corporate Commercial

Toronto

Rob Lando

New York Managing Partner

New York

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