Cannabis Safety

Prior to October 16, 2008, cannabis Regulations only permitted cannabis for medicinal purposes, and therefore, only with an authorization by a healthcare provider.

As of October 16, 2018, the federal government is expected to officially legalize cannabis use. The purpose of Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act, is to allow the federal government to control the production, distribution, sale, and possession of cannabis across Canada.

This federal law seeks to:

• Keep cannabis away from youth.
• Keep profits away from criminals.
• Protect public health and safety.

Its mandate is to allow cannabis to be accessible only to adults, thus proposing safe use.

The federal government ensures the Cannabis Act will keep youth safe by creating two new criminal offences. If a person gives or sells cannabis to a youth or uses a youth to commit a cannabis-related offence, he or she risks receiving a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail.

Another major concern with the Cannabis Act is the possibility of persons under the influence of cannabis to assume they can drive. It is illegal to drive impaired, which includes drug impaired or alcohol impaired.

If a police officer discovers that a driver is impaired by cannabis, that driver may experience:

• A license suspension;
• Fines;
• Vehicle impoundment;
• Criminal record; or
• Imprisonment.

Police officers will eventually also be authorized to use oral fluid screening devices.

The team at JEWELL RADIMISIS JORGE, LLPstrongly encourages all Canadians to engage in safe practices when out on the road.