Chronicles
15 September 2023
CBD and the Law in Quebec
The cannabis plant contains various active molecules, called cannabinoids, many of which have distinct medicinal properties. CBD, unlike THC, has no psychoactive effects and offers multiple therapeutic benefits.
CBD is known for its effectiveness in treating conditions such as anxiety, epilepsy, and depression, among others. However, there is frequent confusion: Is it legal for therapists to offer CBD treatments in Quebec? The answer is no, and we'll explain why this confusion persists.
CBD cannot be administered in a therapeutic setting, such as a massage therapy clinic or any other therapy clinic.
There are two separate regulations that govern the distribution of CBD and any cannabis-derived product, which can be confusing. These two paths follow different rules.
Access to CBD for Medical or Therapeutic Purposes
When it comes to the use of cannabis or CBD for therapeutic purposes, federal regulations apply. A doctor must first evaluate the patient and determine that CBD is an appropriate treatment for them. According to the guidelines of the College of Physicians published in September 2018, the doctor must also inform the patient about various aspects related to the use of CBD. In addition, he must ensure regular follow-up in person and record the indication for which CBD is prescribed in the patient's file.
The Health Canada site explains how to legally obtain CBD for medical purposes by obtaining products from federally authorized suppliers. In practice, the doctor prescribing CBD for medical purposes must issue a prescription to the patient and send this same prescription to an authorized producer chosen by the patient. All these steps are done in coordination with the federal government, without involving the branches of the SQDC (Société québécoise du cannabis) or other organizations.
Access to CBD for recreational purposes:
With the legalization of cannabis in Canada in October 2018, Quebec passed a legislation to regulate the recreational use of cannabis and CBD in the province. This law allows any adult to obtain cannabis or CBD for personal recreational use, provided they respect a set of rules. The SQDC was created under this law and is the only authorized agent for the distribution of CBD for recreational purposes in Quebec.
It is crucial to understand that the SQDC is not authorized to distribute cannabis or CBD for medical or therapeutic purposes. SQDC employees are sales advisors for cannabis or recreational CBD, and they are not authorized to dispense CBD by prescription or provide medical advice on the use of CBD in a therapeutic context.
In Summary
Therapists are not authorized to use, distribute or administer CBD as part of their work in Quebec. To obtain CBD oil for therapeutic purposes and receive advice on the correct dosage and product selection, a patient must obtain a prescription from and be monitored by a doctor. The confusion arises from the difference in regulation between therapeutic and recreational use of CBD.