Municipal variations in cannabis regulation regarding public consumption and retail sales in Canada

Thursday, 24 November, 2022 - 16:50 to 18:20

Abstract

Canada legalized non-medical cannabis in October 2018. However, significant variations in municipal regulations exist, as municipalities have the power to enact local regulations for where cannabis can be sold and consumed. These restrictions have the potential to impact public health and its determinants in many ways. This presentation explores these municipal variations within three Canadian provinces that adopted different provincial legalization frameworks regarding cannabis retail sales and public consumption. A comparative analysis was completed for Alberta, Ontario and Quebec on the municipal regulations and guidelines that addressed retailers’ location and public consumption in municipalities with a population greater than 2,000. Qualitative data analysis was performed with coding and classification of regulations and guidelines completed through multiple discussions by research team members to attain consensus. Municipal regulations regarding the location of retailers are more numerous and extensive in Alberta and Ontario (in the context of provincial private retail models) than in Québec (government-based model). As such, 49% of 143 Alberta municipalities, 20% of Ontario municipalities and 2% of Quebec municipalities mandated additional separation distances between a cannabis retailer and various land-uses. Municipalities in Alberta (59%) have added more restrictions to provincial public consumption laws than municipalities in Ontario (26%) or in Québec (25%). These additions were made to Alberta’s and Ontario’s provincial-level tobacco-inspired frameworks, which included bans on smoking and vaping, and to Québec’s ban on smoking and vaping in all public spaces. This comparative analysis showed the importance of considering municipal cannabis regulations when studying the impact of cannabis legalization, given the significant variations exposed may influence cannabis-related behaviors. Knowledge about these variations may help guide policy makers in regulating cannabis to minimize potential health harms related to retail and public consumption, while also minimizing potential for increased social inequities.

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24 5A 1650 Christophe Huynh_v1.1.pdf563.87 KBDownload

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