Source: https://www.duntonrainvilleblogue.com/divers/cannabis-the-different-licence-classes-and-subclasses-in-canada
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 20:12:34+00:00

Document:
Bill C-45, An Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts (the “Cannabis Act”) came into force on October 17, 2018, resulting in significant changes to Canada’s cannabis legal landscape. Indeed, the Cannabis Act legalizes access to and use of cannabis for recreational and adult use. It also describes the federal government’s role as a supervisor of licensing, regulation and compliance for the various actors within the cannabis industry.
any substance that is identical to any phytocannabinoid produced by, or found in, such a plant, regardless of how the substance was obtained.
The present article will provide a brief overview of each of the aforementioned licence classes and their respective subclasses, if any, relating to this rapidly expanding sector.
conduct ancillary activities such as drying cannabis.
a maximum of 5kg of flowering heads harvested from such plants, except for plant seeds.
Standard cultivation, micro-cultivation and nursery cultivation may be conducted indoors or outdoors.
A micro-processing licence allows for the same activities as a standard processing licence; however its holder may not produce cannabis by synthesis.
Furthermore, a micro-processing licence holder may not possess more than 600kg of dried cannabis (or its equivalent) in a year. Such quantity restriction does not apply if the holder of a micro-processing licence also holds a micro-cultivation licence for the same site and the cannabis used for processing comes exclusively from that site.
sell or distribute cannabis products, other than plants or plant seeds, to a hospital employee, the whole for the purpose and in connection with the latter’s duties.
Provinces and territories are responsible for determining the specific form of distribution and sale of recreational cannabis in their respective jurisdictions, as well as their supervision.8 Indeed, the regulation of cannabis in Québec is defined in An Act to constitute the Société québécoise du cannabis, to enact the Cannabis Regulation Act and to amend various highway safety-related provisions. Under sections 25 and 27 of this act, only the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) may distribute and sell recreational cannabis in Québec through its points of sale or its website.
In contrast, other provinces such as Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador have opted for a private recreational cannabis retail model.
obtain cannabis by altering its chemical or physical properties by any means, the whole for testing purposes.
distribute cannabis plants and plant seeds to licensed cultivators and exemption holders.
The Cannabis Act states that licences and permits authorizing the importation or exportation of cannabis may be issued only in respect of cannabis for medical or scientific purposes or in respect of industrial hemp.11 A holder of said licence must obtain either an import permit or an export permit for each shipment of cannabis that is either imported exported.
In summary, there are many different licenses that authorize the pursuit and execution of specific cannabis-related activities in Canada. Our legal advisors will be pleased to assist you in the determination of which licence class or subclass, including those described hereinabove, is the most suitable for your needs, as well as throughout the entire application process for such a license, if need be.
1 Cannabis Act, art. 2.
2 Cannabis Regulations, art. 11.
3 Cannabis Regulations, art. 11, 13.
4 Cannabis Regulations, art. 14, 16.
5 Cannabis Regulations, art. 17.
6 Cannabis Regulations, art. 17, 21.
7 Cannabis Regulations, art. 26.
8 Cannabis Act, art. 69.
9 Cannabis Regulations, art. 22, 25.
10 Cannabis Regulations, art. 28.
11 Cannabis Act, art. 62.
12 Cannabis Regulations, art. 204, 213.

References: art. 2
 art. 11
 art. 11
 art. 14
 art. 17
 art. 17
 art. 26
 art. 69
 art. 22
 art. 28
 art. 62
 art. 204