The committee is holding five full days of uninterrupted hearings starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Committee chair and Nova Scotia Liberal MP Bill Casey said he’s concerned about key public policy issues such as\u00a0preventing the contamination of cannabis growing facilities, the four-plant allowance rule and a minimum 18-year age of access.<\/p>\n
![\"Liberals](\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/1.4062542.1492111682!\/fileImage\/httpImage\/image.jpg_gen\/derivatives\/original_300\/liberals-pot-20170327.jpg\")
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A protester lights a joint during a 4-20 marijuana rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, April 20, 2012. The House of Commons health committee is returning to Parliament Hill a week early, holding five full days of uninterrupted hearings about cannabis legalization beginning Monday. (Sean Kilpatrick\/Canadian Press)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“We have a lot to learn and a lot to listen to,” he told CBC News.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
NDP MP Don Davies, vice-chair of the health committee, has accused the Liberals of rushing the hearings process, “cramming” in witnesses to dilute parliamentary and public engagement and debate around flawed legislation.<\/p>\n
“I’m concerned they’re trying to rip the bandage off and move to the next stage without getting really varied and diverse input from Canadians,” he said.<\/p>\n
Along with the witness hearings, the Commons health committee has also received 99 written submissions.<\/p>\n
The Canadian Medical Association repeated its concerns about health risks associated with cannabis, particularly in its smoked form. It urged the government to set the legal age at 21.<\/p>\n
The government plans to have legislation passed by July 2018.<\/p>\n
Casey said the committee will likely make recommendations on how to improve and strengthen the legislation, and he did not rule out a potential suggestion to alter the age limit.<\/p>\n