‘Not Done Yet’: Cannabis Community’s report card gives legalization a ‘D’

On the third anniversary of legalization, members of Canada’s cannabis community are calling upon governments to adopt reforms needed to fulfill the health, social and economic promise of cannabis legalization.

On the third anniversary of the legalization of adult-use cannabis, the Cannabis Council of Canada, the national organization of Canada’s licensed producers and processors, along with Cannabis Amnesty, Medical Cannabis Canada and NORML, are releasing the “Not Done Yet Report Card.”

An evaluation of cannabis legalization’s successes and challenges based on government objectives, industry outcomes and cannabis community expectations, topics covered include keeping cannabis out of the hands of youth, eliminating the illicit market, social justice and equity, access to medical cannabis and industry viability.

The choice of topics featured in the report card sends a signal to governments that the work of legalization is “Not Done Yet,” the groups say.

“In celebration of the third anniversary of Canada’s historic leadership, we are calling upon governments to come together with renewed energy and adopt the reforms needed to fulfill the health, social and economic promise of cannabis legalization,” said George Smitherman, President and CEO of Cannabis Council of Canada.

The report card is available online at cannabis-council.ca

Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, Director of Research for Cannabis Amnesty, said Canadian cannabis legalization will not be successful until those harmed by cannabis prohibition get a clean slate and the opportunity to participate fully in the new industry. “While Cannabis Amnesty celebrates the anniversary of legalization, we recognize that we have a long way to go achieve cannabis justice,” Owusu-Bempah said

From Medical Cannabis Canada, Max Monahan-Ellison, noted the anniversary of recreational legalization “is also a moment to reflect on decades of medical cannabis legalization and how we can do better for patients and improve safe and equitable access to their treatment.”

Check out the latest must-read stories at canadianevergreen.com, your go-to source for news, trends, products and lifestyle inspiration from the cannabis community and beyond. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter!