The legalization of most cannabis sales in Canada comes with a
number of statutes and regulations, and a detailed set of
enforcement rules for those trying to operate outside the
system.
Everyone knows that breaking the laws governing cannabis can
lead to criminal penalties. A less well known, but very serious,
consequence of noncompliance is the potential for large fines under
the Excise Act("EA"). One
Canadian found this out the hard way in a recent Saskatchewan Court
of Appeal ("SKA") case.
R. v. Liu, 2025 SKCA 98("Liu")
The Appellant was pulled over in Saskatchewan. Inside his car,
police found growing equipment and approximately five kilograms of
cannabis. He was arrested, charged, and convicted of three offences
contrary to the Cannabis Act ("CA"). He was
sentenced to 13 months in prison. He was also convicted of
possessing an unstamped cannabis product contrary to s. 158.11 of
the EAand ordered to pay a $10,525(!) fine.
