In a March 2025 consultation, Health Canada announced it’s exploring a pathway to make certain CBD health products available without a prescription. The goal? To give Canadians—and their pets—safe, evidence-backed options for managing minor ailments, from aches to anxiety. Currently, non-prescription CBD items, including oils and topical creams, are marketed for recreational purposes and can be purchased without a doctor’s approval. Nonetheless, they must comply with regulations governing safety, quality, and accurate labeling.
But in their recently published essay, Health Canada has expressed an interest to develop a set of regulations that enable non-prescription CBD health products. Titled “Toward a Pathway for Health Products Containing Cannabidiol,” you can read it here. Let’s unpack what this means, and why your voice matters in shaping this decision.
From Prescription to Potential OTC
Canada’s relationship with cannabis has evolved rapidly since the Cannabis Act legalized recreational use in 2018. But CBD, despite its non-intoxicating nature, remains a little bit trapped in regulatory limbo. Back in 2018, Health Canada’s initial scientific review concluded there wasn’t enough evidence to move CBD off the Prescription Drug List. This led to the creation of a dedicated committee, the Science Advisory Committee on Health Products Containing Cannabis (SAC-HPCC), to study the issue further.
By 2020, surveys revealed strong public interest in non-prescription CBD, with 61% of consumers and 62% of industry representatives pushing for easier access. Fast-forward to 2024, when a legislative review of the Cannabis Act urged Health Canada to prioritize pathways for CBD, citing both public demand and its therapeutic potential. Now, the agency is revisiting the rules. The proposal? Amend the Natural Health Products framework to include CBD as a medicinal ingredient, with strict quality controls and a THC limit of 10 parts per million—similar to hemp products. For pets, CBD could become a non-prescription veterinary drug, specifically for conditions like osteoarthritis pain in dogs.
What’s Behind The Shift?
Before greenlighting CBD for self-care, Health Canada needs answers. The SAC-HPCC’s findings offer both promise and caution. For humans, research suggests that healthy adults can safely tolerate up to 200 milligrams of CBD daily for 30 days, though consulting a pharmacist about potential drug interactions is crucial. However, most studies focus on CBD’s use for epilepsy and complex conditions—not minor ailments like everyday stress or joint pain. Gaps remain in understanding long-term safety, impacts on vulnerable groups (like pregnant individuals), and interactions with other medications.
Meanwhile, for pets, low doses of CBD (0.2 to 2 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, twice daily) show promise for easing osteoarthritis pain in dogs, with sedation being the most commonly reported side effect. But for livestock or food-producing animals, questions linger about how cannabis residues might affect the food chain.
Health Canada’s discussion paper outlines two key pathways. For humans, CBD could join the Natural Health Products category, with trace amounts of THC (no psychoactive effects) and rigorous pre-market reviews akin to pharmaceuticals—think clinical trials and strict labeling rules. A big unanswered question: Should these products be sold everywhere, like vitamins, or restricted to pharmacies?
For pets, the focus is narrower. Veterinary CBD would initially target osteoarthritis pain in dogs, with doses tightly controlled and sales likely limited to vet clinics to prevent misuse. Over time, evidence could expand its uses—but for now, caution reigns.
What This Could Mean For Small Cannabis Shops and Consumers?
If you’re a regular at your local dispensary or run a small cannabis shop, this regulatory shift could bring both opportunities and challenges. For small businesses, the ability to sell CBD as a Natural Health Product (NHP) might open new revenue streams. However, there’s a catch: NHPs must meet strict quality standards, which could strain smaller operators without the resources for costly testing and compliance.
On the flip side, if CBD NHPs are sold widely in pharmacies or grocery stores, small shops might face stiff competition from larger retailers. To stay relevant, they’ll need to lean into their strengths—like personalized service, education, and niche products (think broad-spectrum CBD with tailored terpenes). For small shops like The Green Bouquet Cannabis, we are about supplying the best cannabis product. Our customers trust us, our knowledge, and our integral commitment to the Muskoka community.
For cannabis users, easier access to CBD could be a game-changer. No more jumping through hoops for a prescription just to manage everyday stress or sore muscles. But with great convenience comes the need for caution.
What type of CBD are they using, is it from Hemp or the cannabis plant?
Yes, there is a big difference in the chemical compounds that make up each plant, equalling different forms of CBD.
Where is the CBD produced?
One thing to keep in mind is that plants grown in soil absorb all the metals, chemicals and minerals held in the soil, so beware if the product is not produced in Canada. Cheaper, mass-produced CBD products might flood the market, and not all will meet Health Canada’s standards. Savvy consumers should look for third-party testing and clear labeling—and don’t hesitate to ask your local budtender for recommendations.
Your Chance To Weigh-In
This consultation isn’t just for policymakers—it’s for you. Whether you’re a CBD-curious consumer, a pet owner, or an advocate for holistic health, your feedback can shape this landmark decision. Health Canada wants input on everything from where CBD products should be sold (grocery stores vs. pharmacies) to how packaging warnings could ensure safe use. They’re also asking about barriers to CBD research in Canada and how to monitor safety once products hit the market.
Submissions are due by June 5, 2025. To participate, reach out to the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate via email or their online feedback portal here.
Health Canada is walking a tightrope between innovation and caution, aiming to deliver safe, high-quality CBD without cutting corners. If you’ve ever wished for easier access to soothe your joint pain or your dog’s arthritis, now’s the time to make your voice heard.