edibles, extracts and topicals

As of 17 October, 2019, federal regulations for the legal sale and production of edible cannabis, extracts and topicals came into effect.

• edible cannabis includes products that you can eat or drink.
• cannabis extracts are concentrated forms of cannabis named after the method of extracting THC and CBD from the cannabis plant. This includes vaping liquids, tinctures, wax, hash and cannabis oil.
• cannabis topicals include creams, lotions, balms and other products that are applied to the skin, hair or nails.
• dried, fresh, plants and plant seeds.

Under the federal Cannabis Act, it is legal for a person to possess 30 grams of dried cannabis. 1 gram of dried cannabis is equal to the following amounts for edibles, extracts and topicals:

• for edible foods (solids containing cannabis), 1 gram of dried cannabis is equal to 15 grams.
• for edible drinks (non-solids containing cannabis), 1 gram of dried cannabis is equal to 70 grams.
• for cannabis solid concentrates, 1 gram of dried cannabis is equal to 0.25 grams.
• for cannabis non-solid concentrates, 1 gram of dried cannabis is equal to 0.25 grams.

When you eat or drink edible cannabis, the psychoactive component (THC), is processed by your stomach and liver becoming a more potent compound, 11-hydroxytetrahydrocannabinol (11-0H-THC), before entering your bloodstream and reaching the brain. Because of this, it typically takes longer to feel the effects of edibles compared to smoking or vaping. Additionally, the effects can be more intense and can last longer.

It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to begin to feel the effects of edible cannabis and up to 4 hours to feel the full effects. Effects can last up to 12 hours, with some residual effects lasting up to 24 hours.

How soon and how long a person experiences the effects of edible cannabis depends on factors such as their weight, metabolism, gender and whether the cannabis is eaten on an empty stomach.

Edible cannabis has a slow onset, and this can increase the risk of accidental overconsumption. If you choose to consume edible cannabis, always remember that you should ‘start low – go slow’.

If you’re unfamiliar with a product or trying it for the first time, a low-dose approach is recommended. Starting small helps a person determine their individual response to a cannabis product and their comfort with the effects.

For edible cannabis, a low dose is 2.5mg of THC or less. If you choose to increase your dose, wait at least 2 hours before consuming more cannabis product.

Overconsumption of edible cannabis can cause extreme sedation/inability to move, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, rapid heartbeat and respiratory depression.

Many edible cannabis products can look like regular food such as baked goods, chocolate or candy. To reduce the chance of accidental ingestion by children or pets, always be sure that edible cannabis products are stored well out of reach and in secure containers. Additionally, edible cannabis products should be clearly labelled and stored away from other food products.

Always inform guests or other people if a food product contains cannabis.

If you or someone you know has accidently consumed cannabis or consumed too much cannabis and isn’t well, seek immediate assistance: Call poison control at 1-800-565-8161 or 911.

Like all other cannabis products, cannabis edibles must be stored in a closed container and out of reach of any person in your vehicle.

Cannabis Impaired Driving

Edible cannabis products are intended to be consumed in the same manner as food. Subject to the limitations set out in the Regulations, they can contain food and food additives. Edible cannabis products often have a pleasant taste and look like common food or drinks, which increases the risk of accidental and over consumption. As a result, edible cannabis has a precautionary limit of 10 mg of THC per immediate container.

Under federal regulations, edibles produced by licensed producers and sold at the NSLC will:

• not exceed 10 mg of THC per immediate container (10 mg is not a dose – start with 2.5 mg of THC or less before consuming more)
• not contain any ingredient other than food or food additives
• not use vitamins and mineral nutrients as ingredients
• only contain naturally occurring caffeine from an ingredient (for example, chocolate, tea)
• be shelf stable
• be packaged in child-resistant containers
• have health warnings on labels
• can’t be appealing to youth

Extracts are different than edible cannabis and are meant for ingesting. Extracts intended to be taken orally and refer to oil-based products including oils, capsules and sprays. They are not intended to be consumed in the same manner as food. These products are currently available at the NSLC, but will now be regulated under the requirements of cannabis extracts under the federal Cannabis Act Regulations and must adhere to the following:

• THC quantity must not exceed 1,000 mg per immediate container or 10 mg per discrete unit–there is no limit on the quantity of CBD
• cannot contain sugars, sweeteners, or sweetening agents
• have prohibitions relating to the promotion of certain flavours, such as dessert or confectionery
• are subject to additional product and packaging rules to address the risks associated with accidental consumption and overconsumption

Edible cannabis and cannabis extract products are subject to different requirements to address the public health and public safety risks associated with each class of product regarding:

• the maximum amount of THC allowed
• permitted ingredients
• packaging
• promotions

Cannabis extracts refer to a broad range of products that contain higher levels of THC and CBD than what is found in the cannabis plant. THC and CBD levels in cannabis extracts can vary widely: some extracts can have up to 99% THC, whereas others can be mostly CBD with little THC. Cannabis extracts can be smoked, vaped or ingested.

Cannabis extracts with high THC content significantly increase the risk of over-intoxication.

Regular use of high-strength cannabis extracts is associated with tolerance, withdrawal and cannabis use disorder.

Individuals who are new to cannabis should avoid high-strength cannabis products. Instead, they should start with products containing lower levels of THC. For ingestion, cannabis products containing no more than 2.5 mg of THC are recommended, and for inhalation, one or two puffs of a vape with 100 mg/g (10%) THC or less.

Reference: Edible Cannabis, Cannabis Extracts and Cannabis Topicals: A Primer on the New Cannabis Products (PDF)

Extracts that are consumed through inhalation are those ingested by smoking and vaping. These can be highly concentrated products that contain higher quantities of THC and CBD found naturally occurring in cannabis plants. These products can include shatter, budder, wax and rosin and must adhere to the following:

• THC quantity must not exceed 1,000 mg per immediate container or 10 mg per discrete unit–there is no limit on the quantity of CBD
• if the product, intended to be consumed by inhalation, contains ethyl alcohol the net weight of the cannabis extract in each immediate container cannot exceed 7.5g,
• with a maximum of 10mg of ethyl alcohol or less per discrete unit
• if it is not in discrete units, the container must be a maximum of 10mg of ethyl alcohol or less but can be more than 10mg of ethyl alcohol if the container doesn’t allow the extract to be easily removed and does not dispense more than 10mg of ethyl alcohol per activation
• can only contain carrier substance. Selling of flavoured cannabis extracts intended to be consumed by means of inhalation are prohibited under Nova Scotia’s Cannabis Control Act.
• can’t contain nicotine, caffeine, coloring agents, sugars or sweeteners, probiotics or mineral nutrients. A vitamin may be used as an ingredient to maintain the quality or stability, if it is used in an amount that does not exceed what is necessary to do so.
• must be packaged in child-resistant containers
• must have health warnings on label
• can’t be appealing to youth

Cannabis extracts refer to a broad range of products that contain higher levels of THC and CBD than what is found in the cannabis plant. THC and CBD levels in cannabis extracts can vary widely: some extracts can have up to 99% THC, whereas others can be mostly CBD with little THC. Cannabis extracts can be smoked, vaped or ingested.

Cannabis extracts with high THC content significantly increase the risk of over-intoxication, especially when these products are “dabbed.”

“Dabbing” is a relatively new and risky method of vaping high-strength cannabis extracts. It involves heating a solid cannabis extract on a piece of metal (called a nail) and inhaling the vapours for a quick and strong high. This method of inhalation is becoming increasingly common, especially among youth.

Dabbing is not recommended for people who are

inexperienced with cannabis. 

Reference: Edible Cannabis, Cannabis Extracts and Cannabis Topicals: A Primer on the New Cannabis Products (PDF)

Higher-potency products are associated with higher risks of dependence, psychosis, schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder.

Little is known about the risks and effects of inhaling some of the solvents and other substances used to manufacture concentrates.

According to the Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, individuals who are new to cannabis should avoid high-strength cannabis products. Instead, they should start with products containing lower levels of THC. For ingestion, cannabis products containing no more than 2.5 mg of THC are recommended, and for inhalation, 1 or 2 puffs of a vape with 100 mg/g (10%) THC or less.

More information is available on how to read a cannabis product label.

Nova Scotia has prohibited the sale of flavoured cannabis products.

Vaping does have health risks and can increase your exposure to chemicals that may cause lung damage.

If you vape and have developed symptoms of a cough or shortness of breath, chest pain or feel generally unwell, visit a health provider. Inform your health provider of the history of your vaping use.

Visit Public Health Canada’s vaping-associated lung illness online resource for more information.

Topicals are products that include cannabis and that are intended to be used exclusively on external body surfaces (e.g. skin, hair and nails). The risk of intoxication from topicals is low, however, the health impacts have not been researched.

These products should be kept away from the eyes and any open cuts and kept out of the hands of children and youth.

The following federal rules must be adhered to:

• the THC quantity must not exceed 1,000 mg per immediate container
• must be packaged in child-resistant containers
• must have health warnings on labels
• can’t be appealing to youth

The risk of intoxication and impairment following the application of a cannabinoid-infused topical is believed to be low, although there has yet to be thorough research evaluating these potential effects. Reference: Edible Cannabis, Cannabis Extracts and Cannabis Topicals: A Primer on the New Cannabis Products (PDF)

Prohibited uses

It is prohibited to sell or distribute any cannabis product that is intended to:

• be used in the area of the human eye (for example, including the eyebrow area, eyelid, eyelash, eyeball)
• be used on damaged or broken skin
• penetrate the skin barrier by means other than by absorption (for example, through abrasives or needles) [s. 98, CR]

See subsection Prohibited uses for restrictions specific to cannabis extracts.

With regards to cannabis topicals, the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist is used to communicate that certain substances may not be compliant with requirements of the Food and Drugs Act or the Cosmetic Regulations. Some of these ingredients (as defined in subsection 1(2) of the Regulations) listed may also be considered injurious to the health of the user of cannabis topicals under the Regulations, depending on the quantity or concentration of the ingredient as well as the nature and intended or reasonably foreseeable use of the particular product. This list is not exhaustive and is updated from time to time.