Cannabis Security Clearances In Canada – Current Issues And Practical Implications For Industry Participants

Almost two years after the legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes, there is still much debate among industry participants about whether the legislative framework strikes an appropriate balance between the government's intended goals and whether any shortcomings can be reconciled. Prior to the cannabis legalization in Canada, Health Canada consulted with Canadians on their proposed approach to the regulation of cannabis. One of the federal government's main stated objectives of cannabis regulation in Canada was to "enable a robust and responsible legal cannabis industry that is capable of outcompeting the entrenched illegal industry."¹ In response to Health Canada's public consultations, many stakeholders expressed that there would be advantages to providing a path for those previously involved in that entrenched, illegal market to enter the regulated market. However, given the scale and scope of the projected legal industry, it was not surprising that some