In Mars 2025, Health Canada published a discussion paper titled Towards a Pathway for Health Products Containing Cannabidiol for public consultation. This paper explored potential regulatory frameworks for authorizing human health products containing cannabidiol (CBD) for non-prescription use. A What We Heard Report is now available, summarizing the various views, opinions, and information shared during the consultation period.
The What We Heard report highlights a divide between industry and healthcare sectors:
- Licensing & Regulation: Most industry stakeholders opposed requiring a “Cannabis Drug Licence,” arguing that the existing NHP framework is sufficient for a low-risk substance like CBD. They expressed concern that extra licensing would increase costs and stifle innovation.
- Safety & Labelling: Healthcare practitioners and academics emphasized the need for clear warnings, citing potential drug interactions and a lack of long-term safety data. Conversely, industry groups worried that excessive warnings would stigmatize CBD.
- Quality Control: There was broad agreement on the need for Certificates of Analysis (CoA) to verify CBD content and ensure products are free of contaminants and within legal THC limits (less than 10 ppm).
NNHPD has put this initiative on hold as they will be focusing on prioritizing the Government’s Red Tape Review Initiatives.
