Chinese in Canada warned of dangers of buying legalised cannabis products

After Ottawa rules ‘derivative products’ lawful, consulate in Calgary warns of harm they can do and risks of trying to bring them home

Canadian citizen was detained in east China in July on suspicion of drug offences

2-MIN READ2-MIN

The use of cannabis “derivative products” is now legal in Canada. Photo: Reuters

Published: 5:18pm, 20 Oct 2019Updated: 1:55am, 26 Dec 2021

China has warned its citizens living in Canada of the dangers of consuming certain cannabis products after Ottawa last week legalised their use.

People were advised to “fully understand the harmfulness of cannabis products”, according to a statement issued by the Chinese consulate in Calgary on behalf of the foreign ministry.

Canada began the legalisation of marijuana in October last year and the second phase of that process – which permits the use of “derivative products” such as cannabis oil and sublingual (under the tongue) sprays – took effect on Thursday.

Canada began the legalisation process in October last year. Photo: AP

Canada is only the second country in the world, after Uruguay, to legalise the sale of the drug for both recreational and medical purposes.

While the statement did not prohibit Chinese citizens from buying or using such products, it said that anyone caught trying to bring them into China would be dealt with in accordance with the law.