Health Canada is looking at establishing a regulatory pathway to authorize the use of cannabidiol (CBD) in Natural Health Products (NHPs) – and is asking for feedback.
In Canada, health products containing CBD and making a therapeutic claim are considered to be prescription drugs. Within the country’s existing frameworks, there’s currently no legal pathway to market an over-the-counter natural health product containing CBD.
While there are more than 200 licensed NHPs containing hemp, these only contain parts of the cannabis plant that are not considered “cannabis”; being the non-viable seeds and derivatives, roots, and mature stalks without leaves, flowers, seeds or branches. Licensed products cannot contain more than 10 micrograms per gram (μg/g) of THC, an isolated or concentrated phytocannabinoid (e.g. CBD) or a synthetic duplicate of such.
In order to allow CBD as a medicinal ingredient in an NHP, amendments would need to be made to Schedule 2 of the Natural Health Products Regulations (NHPR) and the Prescription Drug List (PDL). This would be a very complex process.
Health Canada is also looking into regulating health products containing CBD under the Food and Drug Regulations as non-prescription veterinary drugs.
“Our goal is to protect the health and safety of Canadians and enable access to safe, effective and high-quality products for human and animal use to treat specific or minor ailments that are supported by adequate evidence,” says the organisation.
This effort follows on from a consultation with consumers and industry stakeholders in 2019. A report in 2020 based on that activity noted 61% of consumers and 62% of industry representatives were interested in these types of products being available with a prescription for human and animal use.
A final report from the Science Advisory Committee on Health Products Containing Cannabis was published in 2022. A legislative review of the Cannabis Act tabled in Parliament in March 2024 recommended, among other things, that Health Canada prioritise the development of a pathway for health products containing CBD.
Submissions for the latest consultation need to be submitted by June 5, 2025. A summary of questions for feedback on human and animal use can be found here, along with the discussion papers. And there’s a lot to consider.
