Health Canada Issues Press Release on Edible Cannabis Extracts

Health Canada has issued a warning to the public regarding the consumption of non-compliant edible cannabis extracts, reports StratCann.

The Breakdown

• Health Canada has warned that some edible cannabis products contain more than the allowable limit of 10 mg of THC per package, which may cause adverse reactions in consumers.
• Non-compliant products in formats like gummies and other confectionery products, such as hard candy, have been incorrectly marketed and sold as cannabis extracts.
• The warning comes after Health Canada issued a new online document providing clarity on the issue of the classification of edible cannabis.
• Federal license holders that have been selling non-compliant edible cannabis products have or will receive a Non-Compliance Determination Letter.

Our Perspective

It’s not necessarily a surprise that Health Canada took this position on edible extracts, but it doesn’t make a ton of sense either. Not only have these products been available on the market for over a year now, we also haven’t heard anything in regards to accidental overconsumption of these products. Moreover, the fact that you can consume the exact same quantity by ingestion in capsules and other formats, only makes things more confusing. We certainly need small dose options, but limitations like this will only further lead to consumers purchasing products from non-regulated sources.

THC Inflation in Dried Flower and Inconsistent Lab Results Raise Concerns

A cannabis lab owner is urging for increased regulation and oversight of testing standards in Canada, citing concerns over discrepancies in testing results and the potential for safety hazards to consumers, reports StratCann.

The Breakdown

• Rob O’Brien, CEO and CSO of Supra Research and Development, conducted independent testing on 46 different cannabis products purchased from BC Cannabis Stores.
• Results showed significant variations between the cannabis flower tested and what was stated on the label, with some products having over a 40% difference.
• O’Brien believes the discrepancies are due to flaws in how producers take samples for testing, as well as the tendency for producers to send in only the largest buds or top colas for testing.
• O’Brien places the burden on federal and provincial regulators to hold producers accountable, and suggests consumers think of the THC level on the label as a range rather than a specific number.

Our Perspective

Accurate labeling of cannabis products is critical for maintaining the integrity of the legal cannabis industry, particularly with respect to the psychoactive component. However, there is a prevalent fixation on high THC percentages among provincial buyers, retail stores, and consumers. One potential solution to this is to allow for bulk distribution and a deli-style point of sale approach, as was common in the pre-legalization days. This would allow customers to make purchases based on the aroma of the product, rather than solely on THC percentage. While some provinces like Ontario and Alberta have allowed a diluted version of this approach, it has not been very effective. Increasing the availability and accessibility of this approach could ultimately lead to a more diverse and informed consumer experience.

Oklahoma Rejects Ballot Initiative

Oklahoma voters rejected a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, reports Marijuana Moment.

The Breakdown

• Oklahoma voters rejected State Question 820, a ballot initiative to legalize cannabis for adult use, on Tuesday.
• The measure faced strong opposition from Republican leaders, law enforcement groups and anti-legalization organizations.
• The initiative would have allowed adults 21 and older to possess, cultivate and purchase cannabis from licensed retailers, as well as expunge past cannabis convictions.
• Despite the ballot being rejected, the state attorney general said he is open to discussing expungements for low-level cannabis offenses.

Our Perspective

Unfortunately, Oklahoma was never close to legalizing adult-use cannabis as electoral returns showed a wide gulf between those who supported the measure and those who opposed it. It’s unclear what is next for adult-use legalization efforts in Oklahoma, but it is worth noting that increasingly adult-use legalization has succeeded in state legislatures, rather than on statewide ballots. The rejection of legalization in Oklahoma follows similar outcomes in three other states—Idaho, Nebraska and North Dakota—in 2022, raising questions about the future of the cannabis reform movement.