Cannabis

In Canada, it is now legal for people over the age of 18 to:

• possess up to 30 grams of legal dried cannabis (or the equivalent non-dried form) in public;
• share up to 30 grams of legal cannabis with other adults;
• purchase dried cannabis, fresh cannabis or cannabis oil from a provincially licensed retailer;
• grow up to four cannabis plants indoors per residence for personal use from licensed seed or seedlings; and
• make cannabis products, including edibles, at home as long as organic solvents are used to make products with high concentrations of THC. ^[1]

Under the Cannabis Act, one gram of dried cannabis is considered to be equivalent to:

• five grams of fresh cannabis;
• 15 grams of edible product;
• 70 grams of liquid product;
• 25 grams of concentrates (solid or liquid);
• one cannabis plant seed. ^[1]

In Alberta, legal cannabis is sold through licensed private retailers and through a website operated by the provincial government.

• Pre-made cannabis products (edibles and concentrates) are not yet legal for sale. It’s expected they will become legal sometime in 2019.
• It is illegal to sell or provide cannabis to any person under the age of 18, or to use a youth to commit a cannabis-related offence.
• While sharing cannabis among adults is legal, it is illegal for one adult to sell cannabis to another unless the seller is a licensed retailer.
• The Cannabis Act also prohibits products that are appealing to youth; packaging or labeling products in ways that appeal to youth; selling cannabis through self-service displays or vending machines; and promoting cannabis, except in narrow circumstances where young people would not be able to see it. ^[1]

For many years, cannabis has been one of the commodities sold by organized crime groups in Alberta to fund other illegal activities. One of the major aims of legalization is to reduce this illicit market and take revenue away from organized crime. However, it is extremely unlikely that the illicit market will disappear completely. If legal cannabis is overpriced or overtaxed, or the product offered is inferior, that would leave an opportunity for the illicit market to flourish.

• IMPAIRED DRIVING: New federal and provincial impaired driving regulations came into effect along with legalization. In Alberta, there will be zero tolerance for cannabis or illegal drugs in the systems of drivers under the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program, just as with alcohol. Fully licensed drivers who are believed to be criminally impaired, who do not provide a fluid sample, or who are over the legal limits for alcohol or cannabis are subject to license suspensions, vehicle seizures, remedial education and mandatory participation in an ignition interlock program. ^[2]
• WORKPLACE SAFETY: The Alberta government continues to work with industry and labour groups to assess current rules in workplaces and adjust them to ensure employees are not impaired in the workplace. ^[3]
• KEEPING CANNABIS AWAY FROM CHILDREN: In addition to a minimum age of 18 to purchase or consume cannabis, the Alberta government has also moved to ban cannabis consumption in areas frequented by children, and to restrict the location of cannabis retailers so that they are not near schools, daycares or community centres. ^[3] Also, unlike liquor stores, minors are not permitted to enter cannabis stores, even if they are with an adult. ^[4]
• PUBLIC HEALTH: As it has with tobacco, the Alberta government is working to limit the public’s exposure to second-hand cannabis smoke. It is also developing public education and awareness campaigns about the risks of cannabis use, particularly in combination with alcohol and other drugs. Retailers will have these education materials available in store, and cannabis will not be sold in the same places as alcohol, tobacco or other pharmaceuticals. ^[3]