Cannabis in Alberta

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Cannabis in Alberta became legalized on October 17, 2018 following the coming into force of federal Bill C-45. Production, distribution and consumption of cannabis had been prohibited in Canada since 1923. While some other provinces distribute cannabis through publicly owned retail monopolies, Alberta allows private companies to sell cannabis at licensed retail storefronts and online. Private retailers must purchase cannabis from the provincial wholesaler, the AGLC. Originally, the Alberta government was the sole entity permitted to retail cannabis online within the province but as of March 8, 2022, private retailers are permitted to do so and the province has since exited the retail business. [1]

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In contrast with slow rollouts in provinces such as Ontario, which initially utilized a lottery system to distribute retail licences, Alberta had no restrictions on the number of licences issued and had the most cannabis dispensaries per capita in Canada soon after legalization. [2] The province's successful implementation of legalization led to some outlets describing it as the "pot capital of Canada." [3] [4]

Legalization for recreational use

Canopy Growth Corporation's Tweed-branded cannabis as sold in Alberta Tweed cannabis from Alberta 02.jpg
Canopy Growth Corporation's Tweed-branded cannabis as sold in Alberta

The minimum age for recreational use of marijuana is 18 (the same age one can purchase alcohol and tobacco and is the age of majority). Those under that age will not be allowed to enter retail cannabis stores (even if with an adult) and there is a zero-tolerance policy for minors purchasing, possessing, or consuming marijuana. Minors caught not in compliance with the zero-tolerance policy will face penalties but the severity of those penalties depends on how many ounces are on their person. Youth who are least 12 years old, but less than 18 who possess 5 grams or less will not be charged criminally but will be subject to other disciplinary actions such as the seizure of the cannabis, notification of parents or guardians, and possible fines. Those who possess more than 5 grams can be charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and will face additional sanctions. Those who provide marijuana to persons under 18 can be punished by receiving a $5,000 fine and/or up to 14 years in jail. The restriction on minors is for recreational marijuana, there may be exceptions for case-by-case medical use.

Sales are made at private enterprise stores licensed by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis or from the government's web site. Retail stores licensed to sell cannabis must not also sell alcohol, tobacco or pharmaceuticals. The products that were initially available included dried flower, milled flower, plant seeds, oil, capsules and pre-rolls. Edibles, concentrates and topicals became legal to sell 1 year later in October 2019. The rules as to where cannabis can be consumed vary from city to city, but typically, Albertans can do so in their homes and in some public spaces where cigarette smoking is allowed, but cannabis use is banned in cars. Specific laws about driving under the influence of cannabis are in place. [5] Amendments to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act enabled cannabis licensed retailers to sell cannabis online and provide delivery, starting on Mar. 8. 2022. At the same time, the AGLC withdrew from the online cannabis retail business that was previously accessible through AlbertaCannabis.org. [1]

Canadian Cannabis Chamber

The national Canadian Cannabis Chamber is based in Alberta, and is staffed by Jonathan Denis, the province's former Justice Minister, and Rick Hanson, the former police chief of the province's largest city, Calgary. [6]

Industrial hemp

Hemp production was legalized in 1998 and Alberta grew thousands of acres by the 2000s. [7] In 2011, Alberta grew 6,434 hectares (15,900 acres), about 40% of Canada's hemp and 40% of the nation's hemp seed. [8] Alberta is generally arid and hemp is grown under irrigation. [9] In 2013, the cultivars in use were from Europe, with experiments with new cultivars suited to prairie climate (X59, CFX-2, CRS-1, Silesia, Canada, and Delores) underway at locations in Canada including Alberta. [10] In 2014, the Finola cultivar, a Finnish cultivar accounting for a third of national production, [11] dominated Alberta's production at 7,400 hectares (18,000 acres). [12]

Usage

In 2013, 11.8 percent of residents reported that they consumed cannabis in the past twelve months, the fourth highest in the country. [13] In 2017, Statistics Canada reported that the province had the third highest per capita usage in the country of 24.08 grams per person. [14] [15]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cannabis</i> Genus of flowering plants

Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. The number of species within the genus is disputed. Three species may be recognized: Cannabis sativa, C. indica, and C. ruderalis. Alternatively, C. ruderalis may be included within C. sativa, all three may be treated as subspecies of C. sativa, or C. sativa may be accepted as a single undivided species. The genus is widely accepted as being indigenous to and originating from Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemp</span> Low-THC cannabis plant

Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a plant in the botanical class of Cannabis sativa cultivars grown specifically for industrial and consumable use. It can be used to make a wide range of products. Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest growing plants on Earth. It was also one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber 50,000 years ago. It can be refined into a variety of commercial items, including paper, rope, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, and animal feed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission</span> Government agency of Alberta, Canada

The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) is an agency of the government of the Canadian province of Alberta, and regulates alcoholic beverages, recreational cannabis, and gaming-related activities. References to cannabis were added to AGLC's name and governing legislation as cannabis in Canada moved towards legalization in 2018. AGLC was created in 1996 as the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission by combining the responsibilities and operations of the Alberta Liquor Control Board (ALCB), Alberta Lotteries, the Alberta Gaming Commission, Alberta Lotteries and Gaming and the Gaming Control Branch. The current Chief Executive Officer as of 2020 is Kandice Machado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in British Columbia</span> Legality, use and culture of cannabis in British Columbia

Cannabis in British Columbia (BC) relates to a number of legislative, legal, and cultural events surrounding the use and cultivation of cannabis in the Canadian province of British Columbia. As with the rest of Canada, cannabis became legalized on 17 October 2018, following the enactment of the Cannabis Act, or Bill C-45. Prior to that, though the drug was illegal in Canada, its recreational use was often tolerated and was more commonplace in the province of BC as compared to most of the rest of the country. The province's inexpensive hydroelectric power and abundance of water and sunshine—in addition to the many hills and forests —made it an ideal cannabis growing area. The British Columbia cannabis industry is worth an estimated CA$2 billion annually and produces 36.6 percent of all Canadian cannabis. The province is also the home of the cannabis activist and businessman Marc Emery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Washington (state)</span> Overview of cannabis use and culture in Washington state

Cannabis in Washington relates to a number of legislative, legal, and cultural events surrounding the use of cannabis. On December 6, 2012, Washington became the first U.S. state to legalize recreational use of marijuana and the first to allow recreational marijuana sales, alongside Colorado. The state had previously legalized medical marijuana in 1998. Under state law, cannabis is legal for medical purposes and for any purpose by adults over 21.

Cannabis in Italy is currently legal for medical and industrial uses, although it is strictly regulated, while it is decriminalized for recreational uses. In particular, the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use is a civil infraction. The possible sanctions for possession vary from the issuing of a diffida to first offenders, that is an injunction not to use the drug again; to the temporary suspension of certain personal documents for repeat offenders. Conversely, the unauthorized sale of cannabis-related products is illegal and punishable with imprisonment, as is the unlicensed cultivation of cannabis, although recent court cases have effectively established the legality of cultivating small amounts of cannabis for exclusively personal use. The licensed cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes requires the use of certified seeds; however, there is no need for authorization to plant certified seeds with minimal levels of psychoactive compounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Ontario</span> Cannabis in Ontario, Canada

Cannabis in Ontario is legal for both medical and recreational purposes. Cannabis in Canada has been legal for medicinal purposes since 2001 under conditions outlined in the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations, issued by Health Canada, while seed, grain, and fibre production are permitted under licence. The federal Cannabis Act, legalizing cannabis for recreational use, came into effect on 17 October 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Quebec</span>

Cannabis in Quebec became legal when the national Cannabis Act went into force on 17 October 2018. Cannabis in Canada has been legal for medicinal purposes since 2001 under conditions outlined in the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations, later superseded by the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations, issued by Health Canada and seed, grain, and fibre production was permitted under licence by Health Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in New Brunswick</span> Legality, use and culture of cannabis in New Brunswick

Cannabis in New Brunswick became legal for recreational use when the Cannabis Act went into force across the country on October 17, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis laws of Canada by province or territory</span>

On October 17, 2018, cannabis was legalized in Canada for recreational and medical purposes. It was already legal for medicinal purposes, under conditions outlined in the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations issued by Health Canada, and for seed, grain, and fibre production under licence by Health Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Prince Edward Island</span>

Cannabis in Prince Edward Island became legal when the national Cannabis Act went into force on October 17, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Nova Scotia</span>

Cannabis has been legal in Nova Scotia and the entire country of Canada since October 17, 2018, the effective date of the Cannabis Act. Each province and territory set its own laws for various aspects, such as the legal age, whether householders can grow cannabis and the method of retail sales. Cannabis has been legal in Canada for medicinal purposes since 2001 under conditions outlined in the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations, later superseded by the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations, issued by Health Canada and seed, grain, and fibre production was permitted under licence by Health Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Manitoba</span> Law in Manitoba concerning use of cannabis

Non-medical cannabis in Manitoba became legal when the national Cannabis Act went into force on October 17, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Newfoundland and Labrador</span>

Cannabis in Newfoundland and Labrador became legal when the national Cannabis Act went into force on October 17, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Saskatchewan</span>

Cannabis in Saskatchewan became legal when the national Cannabis Act went into force on 17 October 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in the Northwest Territories</span>

Cannabis in the Northwest Territories became legal when the national Cannabis Act went into force on 17 October 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation</span> Provincial cannabis distributor and online retailer

The Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation, operating as Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), is a Crown corporation that manages a legal monopoly over the online retail and wholesale distribution of recreational cannabis to consumers and privately operated brick and mortar retailers respectively throughout Ontario, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Budtender</span>

A budtender is a title of a staff member who works within a dispensary or store where medical or recreational cannabis is sold. Their job is to offer suggestions to customers, answer questions, handle products and showcase products being sold.

'FINOLA' is a low THC hemp variety from Finland that is primarily used to produce hempseed.

References

  1. 1 2 "Common Cannabis Questions". AGLC. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  2. ↑ Alberta, with 22 per cent of national sales, is the per capita leader in legal cannabis purchases.
  3. ↑ How Alberta emerged as Canada’s unexpected pot capital, one year post-legalization
  4. ↑ Sorry, BC and Ontario, Alberta Is Canada’s New Weed Capital
  5. ↑ "Legalization is nigh: Things to know in Alberta before getting high". Global News. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  6. ↑ GILLIAN STEWARD (November 28, 2017), "Alberta betting on booming marijuana market", Toronto Star
  7. ↑ Bouloc 2013.
  8. ↑ Emmanuel Anum Laate, "Table 1 Hemp Seeded Acreage in Alberta and Canada, 1998 – 2011 and Table 3: Hemp Seeded Acreage in Canada by Province, 1998 – 2011 (Acres)", Industrial Hemp Production in Canada, Economics Branch, Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Alberta Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development, retrieved 2017-12-24– via Agriculture and Forestry official website
  9. ↑ Small 2016.
  10. ↑ Shari Narine (October 30, 2013), "Potential of hemp in Alberta grows", Top Crop Manager
  11. ↑ Grassi & McPartland 2017, p. 153.
  12. ↑ "Industrial hemp varieties cultivated in 2014 in Canada", Industrial Hemp Enterprise, Alberta Department of Agriculture and Forestry – via official website
  13. ↑ "B.C., Nova Scotia home to the most marijuana smokers: StatsCan". torontosun.com. Toronto Sun. September 18, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  14. ↑ Quon, Alexander (April 30, 2018). "Nova Scotians smoke the most weed per capita in Canada: StatsCan". globalnews.ca. Global News. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Provincial and Territorial Cannabis Economic Accounts, 2017". statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. April 30, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2019.

Sources

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