Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jun 2017
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Jon Willing
Page: A10

PLAN FOR EDIBLE CANNABIS PRODUCTS: CITY HEALTH UNIT

Ottawa organization wants to develop packaging, awareness campaigns
ahead of legalization

The federal government should regulate edible cannabis products at the
same time that it legalizes dried pot, plants and cannabis oil, the
city's health unit says.

Ottawa Public Health wants support from the health board to tell the
federal government to develop regulations around edible cannabis
products now rather than waiting until after the legalization comes
into force, which is expected to happen by July 2018.

In a report for the health board, the unit cites a 2016 study and a
2015 study on the impacts of legalizing marijuana in Colorado. Based
on those studies, the Ottawa unit is worried about children
accidentally ingesting edible cannabis products, particularly if there
are lax controls on packaging, storage and labelling.

Another 2015 study by the Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse
analyzing the marijuana legalization in Colorado has convinced the
Ottawa health unit that the federal government also needs an awareness
campaign to prevent overconsumption of edible products.

Popular cannabis-infused goodies include, chocolate, gummies, hard
candy and baked treats.

The Liberals announced their blueprint for legalizing cannabis in
April after a task force made recommendations on a regulatory framework.

The health unit sent feedback to the task force last fall and it
appears satisfied with the framework informing the legalization program.

In addition to the edibles, the health unit is concerned about what
kind of marketing would be allowed for pot.

There should be warnings, plain packaging and labels with the THC
(tetrahydrocannabinol) level, the health unit says. Graphic warning
labels on cigarette packs, including those that have pictures of
rotten lungs and teeth, are considered a best practice.

The big unknown for the health unit is how legal cannabis would be
sold in Ontario.

It's watching how the provincial government plans licensing, minimum
age requirements and restrictions on where cannabis can be smoked in
public places.

The health board will consider the report during a meeting next
Monday.
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MAP posted-by: Matt