5.11 The Approach to the Prosecution of Certain Offences Committed Prior to the Coming into Force of the Cannabis Act

With the passage of Bill C-93, the Criminal Records Act streamlined the process for obtaining a pardon for CDSA simple possession charges, including the requirement that a sentence be expired according to the law before a pardon application can be made. The bill, as amended, received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019 and came into force by order of the Governor in Council on August 1, 2019. As of August 12, 2019, Chapter 5.11 of the Deskbook has been revoked and replaced with a new policy. A copy of the policy is available upon request.