Supporters of alternative medicines are calling for changes to the Cannabis Act.
The Canadian Health Food Association says cannabidiol, or CBD, was made illegal when the legislation was passed October 17.
Unlike THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD does not give users a high.
It’s used to relieve pain, reduce stress and promote sleep.
CHFA President Helen Long wants Canadians to visit their website to help get CBD off the prescription drug list.
“That will enable us to start looking at CBD as a natural health product,” she emphasizes. “Again, going through all the same licensing and regulatory steps that would happen for every natural health product.”
Recreational cannabis is available across Canada but, getting CBD for health is only avail through your dr. If you support self-care, we urge you to write the Minister of Health to allow CBD in safe & high-quality natural health products. #getwellnothigh https://t.co/XTMiZPb6W4 pic.twitter.com/kqiGgZI3tf
— CHFA (@cdnhealthfood) October 25, 2018
Long fears if CBD users cannot legally buy the product as a supplement, they will turn to recreational cannabis to get the effect.
“The problem with that from our perspective, is the product’s not labelled or presented as such. So there’s no information around dosage or usage or warnings, and we don’t think that’s the best way for Canadians to be looking for CBD.”
The CHFA’s “Get Well, Not High” campaign asks Canadians help change the legislation by going to their website and signing a letter to their MP.