Advertisement

Cannabis edibles expected to hit Canadian shelves mid-December

WATCH: Global News Explains everything you need to know about marijuana edibles

A “limited selection” of next-generation cannabis products such as edibles will “gradually” hit retail shelves no earlier than mid-December 2019, Health Canada says.

The Ottawa-based agency on Friday released details of the final version of its regulations governing these pot products, including topicals and extracts, and indicated the rules will come into force on Oct. 17.

READ MORE: Canada’s cannabis edibles, topicals market could be worth $2.7B a year after legalization: study

However, Health Canada noted that after the law takes effect, federal cannabis licence holders must provide 60 days notice to Health Canada of their intent to sell new products.

That means that these new pot products won’t be available for legal sale until Dec. 17 at the earliest.

“As with any new regulatory framework, federally licensed processors will need time to become familiar with and prepare to comply with the new rules and to produce new products,” Health Canada said in a statement.

Story continues below advertisement

“Provincially or territorially authorized distributors and retailers will also need time to purchase and obtain the new products and make them available for sale.”

WATCH: Questions remain as edible cannabis legalization looms

[tp—video id=5331456]

A recent report by Deloitte estimated the Canadian market for these pot products is worth about $2.7 billion annually, with edibles contributing more than half of that amount.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Health Canada in February wrapped its public consultation on the draft rules for these additional cannabis products.

The final rules dictate that edible cannabis, whether food or beverage, will have a cap of 10 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol — the compound known as THC which produces a high — per package, consistent with the proposed regulations. Cannabis extracts for inhalation or topicals, such as pot-infused lotions, will have a cap of 1,000 milligrams of THC per package, also in line with the draft rules.

Story continues below advertisement

All packaging must be plain and child resistant, and must not be appealing to young people.

WATCH: Ottawa is rolling out the next generation of cannabis products, but they come with some strict rules. Global’s Tomasia DaSilva reports on what those are, and when the products will be available.

Click to play video: 'Coming soon to a store shelf near you: edibles and other cannabis products'
Coming soon to a store shelf near you: edibles and other cannabis products

READ MORE: Canada’s proposed edible pot rules may cause bland product, critics warn

As well, as proposed in the draft guidelines, no elements on these products would associate them with alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or vaping products.

The major rollout of this new class of cannabis products will likely happen further into 2020, said Jefferies analyst Ryan Tomkins in a note to clients before the government announcement.

“We are likely to only see the first products launched late into December… with regulators likely to review numerous details of proposals including testing, manufacturing and packaging procedures as well as product data and ingredient specifications.”

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: ‘It’s a totally different drug’: Why edibles feel different from smoking cannabis

Sponsored content

AdChoices