Cannabis

Pharmacists, in their clinical role as medication experts, are in a unique position to contribute to positive health outcomes for patients who consume cannabis, whether for medical or non-medical (recreational) use. The public should expect that pharmacy professionals have sufficient knowledge about cannabis use to promote patient safety and prevent harm – no differently than any other drug or substance.

Cannabis Training Requirements

At the time of the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018, and continued access for medical purposes, the College implemented a Cannabis Strategy, “Enhancing Knowledge, Protecting Patients” to prepare pharmacist to address evolving cannabis-related issues. As part of this strategy, all Part A pharmacists were required to complete mandatory cannabis education to support quality patient care by March 2020. Competencies and suggested learning objectives were provided to the Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy (CCCEP) to accredit courses from education providers. Pharmacists could also complete an entry to practice or bridging pharmacy program whose curriculum addresses the cannabis-related competencies outlined in Appendix A. Pharmacists who self-assess and identify a knowledge gap are expected to pursue the necessary learning activities to maintain their competency.

Cannabis Legislation

The production, distribution, sale, and possession of medical cannabis is regulated at the federal level, and cannabis for non-medical (recreational) use is regulated at the federal as well as the provincial/territorial and municipal levels. Activities with cannabis outside of what the law allows remain illegal and subject to criminal penalties.

FEDERAL

• Cannabis Act
  • Regulates the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis for non-medical (recreational) and medical use
  • Overseen by Health Canada’s Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch
• Cannabis Regulations
  • Apply to a cannabis plant or any part of a cannabis plant, including the phytocannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and health products containing cannabis
  • PART 8: Drugs Containing Cannabis
  • PART 14: Cannabis for Medical Purposes

PROVINCIAL

• Cannabis Control Act
  • Establishes systems for overseeing the distribution and sale of recreational cannabis
  • Sets out prohibitions relating to the purchase, possession, transport, cultivation, propagation and harvesting of recreational cannabis
• Cannabis Licence Act and O. Reg. 468/18
  • Establishes requirements for retail operator licenses, retail store authorizations and cannabis retail manager licences
  • Overseen by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) (affiliated with the Ministry of the Attorney General) who carries out compliance inspections
• Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation Act
  • Establishes the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), a Crown agency of the Government of Ontario, an online store and the only legal supplier for private retail stores for recreational cannabis

Frequently Asked Questions: Cannabis
A Cannabis Strategy for Pharmacy: Enhancing Knowledge, Protecting Patients