Today (December 20), Health Canada launched a 60-day public consultation on a proposed outline for the regulation of cannabis concentrates, edibles, and topicals.

A draft chart published on the federal government website today outlines proposed cannabinoid limits, packaging requirements, and restricted ingredients. The full set of regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette on Saturday (December 22).

If passed, cannabis-infused food and beverages will be limited to 10 milligrams of THC per package or container, and cannot contain added vitamins, minerals, or alcohol. There will be limited amounts of caffeine permitted.

Much like the plain, child-resistant packaging requirements on flower and oils, the container must display the standardized red warning sign indicating the product contains weed, the cannabinoid content, ingredients, and nutritional facts.

For products like infused creams, shatter, and vaporizer liquid, the THC limit is significantly higher—allowing for up to 1000 milligrams of THC per package. Topicals, such as balms and salves, must also carry a warning to consumers not to ingest the product and can’t make any cosmetic claims.

In 2016, the federal task force on cannabis legalization submitted a list of recommendations to the government regarding the regulation of edible products. The proposed framework stays relatively consistent with recommendations however it has chosen not to ban products like infused candies, which the task force warned may appeal to children.

For Canadians interested in submitting feedback on the draft regulations, written submissions can be filed online or by mail, or the government has also provided an anonymous questionnaire. The consultation portals will remain open until February 20.

Today, Health Canada launched a consultation on regulations for #EdibleCannabis, #CannabisExtracts and #CannabisTopicals, open until February 20, 2019. https://t.co/0kEpHdR8Mb

— GC Newsroom (@NewsroomGC) December 20, 2018

The federal government promises to have these cannabis products available for legal sale no later than October 17, 2019.