CBD in NHPs
CHFA has been closely monitoring the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding cannabis regulation in Canada, particularly CBD and it’s potential inclusion in Natural Health Products (NHPs). Regulating CBD under the Natural Health Products Regulations would improve access to safe, effective CBD-containing products for Canadians while creating meaningful growth opportunities for the NHP industry.
The Health Products Containing Cannabis Science Advisory Committee’s (SAC) published report from 2022 outlined some important recommendations for future regulatory considerations for health products containing cannabis, including a safe dosing schedule for CBD and an openness for CBD to be regulated under a framework like the Natural Health Product Regulations.
Shortly after the publication of the SAC report, CHFA joined the Cannabis Health Products Coalition (CHPC) which has since been actively engaging with key members of parliament, Health Canada, and other key stakeholders to advance the regulatory framework for health products containing cannabis. CHFA has met with senior Health Canada executives, including the Director General of the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD), as well as various other officials, to advocate for the implementation of a risk-based regulatory framework for these products.
In March 2024, the Government’s expert panel on cannabis acknowledged that an increased availability of cannabis-based health products, authorized under the existing framework for natural health products (NHPs), would mark an important advancement, providing Canadians with access to legal products that have been reviewed for safety, quality and efficacy. This was mentioned in the Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act: Final Report of the Expert Panel - Canada.ca) which concluded the 5 year review of the Cannabis Act.
After our steady pursuit in hopes to engage Health Canada’s Natural and Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) on this issue, a significant milestone was reached in March 2025 when the NNHPD published a high-level discussion paper that described their proposed regulatory approach for a pathway towards health products containing CBD, calling these products NHPCC’s (Natural Health Products Containing Cannabis). CHFA welcomed the publication as an encouraging step after years of advocacy. However, CHFA also identified several gaps and concerns that need to be addressed to ensure a functional and science-based pathways forward, We have listed some of the concerns below. For the full list, please see CHFA’s feedback letter.
Current Advocacy Efforts
Regulating CBD under the Natural Health Products Regulations will enhance accessibility to regulated CBD-containing products for Canadians and unlock growth opportunities for the NHP industry.
CHFA joined the Cannabis Health Products Coalition (CHPC) and has been actively engaging with key members of parliament, Health Canada, and other key stakeholders to advance the regulatory landscape for cannabis health products (CHPs). CHFA has met with senior Health Canada executives, including the Director General of the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD), as well as various other officials, to advocate for the implementation of a risk-based regulatory framework for CHPs.
For a comprehensive understanding of the subject, we encourage you to review the CHFA advocacy letters provided below.