Ottawa's top doctor calls for strict rules on edibles

The city's top doctoris calling for stricter rules to keep cannabis edibles, extracts and topical products out of the hands of young people.

In a report going to the Ottawa Board of Health on March 4, Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa's medical officer of health, calls on Health Canada to enforce stringent labelling and health standards for the products, which are set to become legal Oct. 17.

Etches wantsmanufacturers prevented from packaging their products in a way that mimicsfoods that children find appealing, such asgummy candies, lollipops, chocolate bars and cookies.

Etches also calls forlimits on dosage, with a maximum of 10 milligramsof THC in a single edible or extract unit,such as a capsule, and a limit of 1,000 milligrams ofTHC per package of edibles, extract or topical product.

The reportrecommendsthat all products be identified by a standardized THC symbol, and that extracts not use flavouring agents that could make them appealing to a younger audience.

Packaging should include a health warning the delayed effects of cannabis-infused products, as well as low-risk cannabis use guidelines.

The report also recommends preventing tobacco companies from using their logos or branding to promote cannabis products, much like the current regulations pertaining to alcohol manufacturers.

The report urgesHealth Canada to set up atoll-free number for people who have consumedcannabis to contact a local poison control centre.