Canadian securities regulators outline disclosure expectations and certain risks for issuers with U.S. marijuana-related activities

For Immediate Release CSA

Toronto – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published CSA Staff Notice 51-352 Issuers with U.S. Marijuana-Related Activities, which among other things, outlines CSA staff’s specific disclosure expectations for issuers that have, or are in the process of developing, marijuana-related activities in the U.S. 

Issuers with marijuana-related activities in the U.S. assume certain risks due to conflicting state and federal laws. While some states have authorized the use and sale of marijuana, it remains illegal under federal law. The federal law relating to marijuana could be enforced at any time, and this would put issuers with U.S. marijuana-related activities at risk of being prosecuted and having their assets seized.

“We expect issuers with marijuana-related activities in the U.S. to address the current legal and regulatory environment in their disclosures, including any risks that result from changes in the approach to enforcement of U.S. federal law,” said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers.

The CSA’s disclosure expectations apply to all issuers with U.S. marijuana-related activities, including those with direct and indirect involvement in the cultivation and distribution of marijuana, as well as issuers that provide goods and services to third parties involved in the U.S. marijuana industry. Issuers are expected to provide these disclosures in prospectus filings and other required documents, such as their Annual Information Form and Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

CSA Notice 51-352, as well as a media backgrounder, can be found on CSA members’ websites.

The CSA, the council of securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, coordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets. 

 

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For more information:

Kristen Rose
Ontario Securities Commission
416-593-2336

Hilary McMeekin
Alberta Securities Commission
403-592-8186

Alison Walker
British Columbia Securities Commission
604-899-6713

Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
514-940-2176

Jason (Jay) Booth
Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-1660

Andrew Nicholson
Financial and Consumer Services
Commission, New Brunswick
506-658-3021

David Harrison
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586

Steve Dowling
Government of Prince Edward Island,
Superintendent of Securities
902-368-6288

Kimberly Ryan
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-2602

Rhonda Horte
Office of the Yukon Superintendent
of Securities
867-667-5466

Jeff Mason
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6591

Tom Hall
Northwest Territories Securities Office
867-767-9305

Shannon McMillan
Financial and Consumer Affairs
Authority of Saskatchewan
306-798-4160