Media Contacts

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Media Relations
250 213-3602

Backgrounders

Facts about cannabis
  • Dried cannabis from illicit retailers was tested to the same requirements Health Canada has established for licence holders under the federal cannabis regulations.
  • Dried cannabis produced for sale, and other cannabis products including edibles and extracts, must be tested to federal requirements by a federally licensed analytical testing lab.
  • In the regulated market, federal licence holders must send a representative sample of dried cannabis for testing; if the test results show unacceptable levels of bacteria, fungi or mould, the batch cannot be sold.
  • If pesticides are detected, the results must be reported to Health Canada and the cannabis must be quarantined.
  • Further investigation and analysis must be completed to confirm whether there was deliberate use of pesticides and to determine whether there are any health risks of concern to consumers.
  • Across the province, more than 370 legal cannabis retail stores are licensed and operating, including 27 public stores (under the BC Cannabis Stores brand) and 348 private stores.
  • BC Cannabis Stores allows consumers across B.C. to purchase cannabis online and have it delivered.
  • Like alcohol and tobacco, cannabis may pose a number of short- and long-term health risks.
  • People with questions about these risks should consult a health-care provider.

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