Policy Briefs and Reports (Policy)

A policy brief is a concise summary of a specific issue. It covers the policy options to deal with the respective issue, and makes recommendations based on the evidence. Policy briefs assist government policy makers and others who are interested as resources in formulating or regulating policy.

Policy briefs are a practical tool used by CCSA in our efforts to contribute effectively to the development of policy. Browse the tabs below to read CCSA policy briefs on various substances.

Alcohol

Alcohol

Maintaining a Public Health Approach to Alcohol Policy During COVID-19 [Policy Brief] (publication date, 2021)
Mandatory Alcohol Screening [Policy Brief] (publication date, 2020)
The Impact and Effectiveness of Minimum Legal Drinking Age Legislation in Canada (publication date, 2017)
Municipal Alcohol Policy: A Role for Canadian Governments (publication date, 2017)
Municipal Alcohol Policy in Ontario: A Public Health Approach (publication date, 2017)
The Municipal Alcohol Policy Program in British Columbia (publication date, 2017)
The National Alcohol Strategy Monitoring Project: A Status Report (publication date, 2017)
Social Reference Pricing for Alcohol FAQs (publication date, 2017)
Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages in Canada: Prevalence of Use, Risks and Recommended Policy Responses (publication date, 2012)

Cannabis

Cannabis

Cannabis Legalization: Cannabis for Medical Purposes (publication date, 2023)
Cannabis Legalization: Children and Young People (publication date, 2023)
Cannabis Legalization: Home Cultivation (publication date, 2023)
Cannabis Legalization: Legal Access and the Illegal Market (publication date, 2023)
Cannabis Legalization: 2021–2022 Observations (Policy Brief) (publication date, 2022)
Cannabis Legalization Observations 2021–2022: Key Findings for Policy Development (publication date, 2022)
Cannabis Legalization Observations 2021–2022: Key Findings for Public Health (publication date, 2022)
Cannabis Legalization Observations 2021–2022: Key Findings for Future Research (publication date, 2022)
Public Safety and Cannabis: Taking Stock of Knowledge Since Legalization: A Virtual Cannabis Policy Research Symposium Report (publication date, 2022)
On-Premise Cannabis Use: Public Health and Safety Considerations [Policy Brief] (publication date, 2021)
Consultation on the Cannabis Regulations: Cannabis Research and Other Regulatory Issues [Policy Brief] (publication date, 2021)
Brief Submitted to the Health Canada Consultation on Regulations for Cannabis Edibles, Extracts and Topicals (publication date, 2019)
Cannabis Legalization: Year One Observations (publication date, 2019)
Composition of Boards Overseeing Retail Cannabis Sales and Wholesale Distribution across Canada (publication date, 2019)
Cannabis Regulatory Approaches (publication date, 2016)
Cannabis Regulation: Lessons Learned in Colorado and Washington State (publication date, 2015)

COVID-19

COVID-19

Considerations for Virtual Services and Supports for Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders [Policy Brief]

Policy Brief

Considerations for Virtual Services and Supports for Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders [Policy Brief]

Publication date: 2021

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Cannabis Retail During COVID-19 [Policy Brief]

Policy Brief

Cannabis Retail During COVID-19 [Policy Brief]

Publication date: 2021

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Alcohol and Cannabis Retail Regulations During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada

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Alcohol and Cannabis Retail Regulations During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada [initial lockdown March/April 2020]

Publication date: 2021

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Impaired Driving

Impaired Driving

Drug Evaluation and Classification Program [Policy Brief] (publication date, 2019)
Drug Per Se Laws [Policy Brief] (publication date, 2019)
Key Issues in Drug-impaired Driving [Policy Brief] (publication date, 2019)
Short-term Administrative Sanctions for Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers [Policy Brief] (publication date, 2019)
Oral Fluid Drug Screening [Policy Brief] (publication date, 2018)

Emerging Issues

Issues

Substance Use and the Climate Emergency (publication date, 2024)
Comparing Drug Treatment Court Principles to Evidence-Based Practice (publication date, 2023)
Drug Treatment Courts: An Evidence-Based Review with Recommendations for Improvement (publication date, 2023)
Evidence-Based Decriminalization (Policy Brief) (publication date, 2021)
Submission to Health Canada consultation to inform proposed new regulations for supervised consumption sites and services (publication date, 2020)
Health Canada Consultation on the Controlled Drugs and Substances Strategy (publication date, 2019)
Networks: A Knowledge Synthesis (publication date, 2019)
Decriminalization: Options and Evidence (publication date, 2018)

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