Finished Products

The Canadian government has created a unique legal framework that will now enable the research (and eventual manufacturing) of cannabis finished products.

The current classes of cannabis permitted under the Cannabis Regulations include fresh and dried cannabis (e.g. flower, tissue culture, leaves), cannabis oil, plants, and seeds. Under the proposed amendments to the Cannabis Regulations likely to come into force in October 2019, new classes of cannabis products will be permitted which include edible cannabis, extracts (such as concentrates), and topical products. Cannabis Compliance Inc. participated in government consultations to help shape the development of the final regulations. Cannabis health products – e.g., natural health products containing cannabinoids – are not included in the scope of the upcoming Cannabis Regulations amendments but will possibly be permitted in the future sometime after October 2019.

Currently, only the dried flower and cannabis oil (liquid or soft gels) are permitted for production. To manufacture cannabis oil (liquid or soft gels), a facility must be in possession of a Micro or Standard Processing License. Down the road, it is proposed that a processing license (micro or standard) would also be required to manufacture edibles, concentrates and topicals.

In the past several years, companies desiring to conduct research with various cannabis derivatives and delivery vehicles, were required to do so with a Dealer’s License (DL) under the Narcotic Control Regulations. Many licensed producers have achieved both a Production License (under the former ACMPR) as well as a Dealer’s License. However, the DL will no longer be the facility license authorizing cannabis research and development. In its place, a Research and Development Licence will now authorize companies to experiment with creating unique finished products strictly for research (not resale) purposes ahead of future regulations permitting their sale.

The following pages in this section discuss the various types of finished products that are slated to be legalized in the year or two ahead and provide a pathway for companies to begin formulating, developing, and manufacturing such products.