Cannabis Legalization

What does it mean for Asphodel-Norwood?

On October 17, 2018 the Cannabis Act came into force and effect. The act allows for recreational cannabis to become legal in Canada, this will have impact on all levels of government. Each level of government has distinct responsibilities in ensuring that the legalization of recreational cannabis is implemented with consideration to community safety, health and economic opportunity.

As of October 17, 2018 the legal sale of cannabis is restricted to online sales through the Provincially operated Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS). The provincial government will introduce legislation to allow the private sector to retail recreational cannabis in Ontario by April 1, 2019. In the meantime, consumers 19 or older are able to purchase recreational cannabis through an online retail platform operated by the Ontario Cannabis Store. View Ontario's Cannabis Retail Regulation Landscape. It is anticipated that the AGCO will begin accepting applications on December 17, 2018.

Municipalities are being offered the opportunity to opt out of having a retail store in their community, but must do so by January 22, 2019.

Citizen Inquiries & Complaints - Who to Call

Complaints about use, sales, and distribution of cannabis and drug impairment while driving
Ontario Provincial Police at 705-742-0401

Questions related to health impacts (second-hand smoke or impact on children)
Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000 or info@peterboroughpublichealth.ca

Complaints about smoking cannabis on Municipal property, facilities, and in public spaces
By-law Enforcement at 705-639-5343 or Email

Federal Government

On October 17, 2018, Bill C-45 came into force. It puts in place a new, strict framework for controlling the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis in Canada.

The Cannabis Act will:

prevent youth from accessing cannabis
displace the illegal cannabis market

Protecting the health and safety of youth is a top priority. Be aware that the Cannabis Act establishes serious criminal penalties for those who sell or provide cannabis to youth. It also establishes a new offence and strict penalties for those who use youth to commit a cannabis offence.

In addition, the Act also prohibits:

products that are appealing to youth
packaging or labelling cannabis in a way that makes it appealing to youth
selling cannabis through self-service displays or vending machines
promoting cannabis that could entice young people to use cannabis, except in narrow circumstances where it will not be seen by a young person

For more information, please view the Government of Canada's website for further information.

Provincial Government

Recreational cannabis was legalized on October 17, 2018 by the Federal Government. Ontario’s Government for the People has put rules in place to keep cannabis out of the hands of children and youth, keep our roads safe and combat the illegal market.

Ontario now has laws in place (after extensive public and stakeholder engagement) about how, where and who can buy and possess cannabis in the province. The government is also moving forward with a tightly regulated private retail model for cannabis that would launch by April 1, 2019.

Medical cannabis will continue to be subject to different rules than recreational cannabis.

For more information, please view the Province of Ontario's website for further information.

Contact Us

Township of Asphodel-Norwood
2357 County Road 45
Norwood, ON K0L 2V0
P: 705-639-5343
F: 705-639-1880