Canadian securities regulators issue statement following rescission of the Cole Memorandum

CSA Securities

Toronto – On October 16, 2017, the CSA published Staff Notice 51-352 (pdf - 87 KB)This link will open in a new windowUpdated on October 16, 2017"CSA, Staff Notice, 51-352, Issuers, U.S., Marijuana-Related Activities"Issuers with U.S. Marijuana-Related Activities (pdf - 87 KB)This link will open in a new windowUpdated on October 16, 2017"CSA, Staff Notice, 51-352, Issuers, U.S., Marijuana-Related Activities". The notice outlined a disclosure-based approach to highlight risks facing issuers with U.S. marijuana-related activities and reflected the existence of a U.S. federal government forbearance approach (per the Cole Memorandum) to the enforcement of federal laws relating to marijuana. 

The notice indicated that we would re-examine our views in the event that the U.S. federal government's approach were to change.

On January 4, 2018, the U.S. Attorney General rescinded all previous guidance specific to federal law enforcement relating to marijuana, including the prior approach under the Cole Memorandum.

The CSA is considering whether our disclosure-based approach for issuers with U.S. marijuana-related activities remains appropriate in light of the rescission of the Cole Memorandum. Issuers with no U.S. marijuana-related activities and that otherwise operate in compliance with applicable Canadian laws are not the focus.

We will communicate more details about our position shortly. 
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:

Kimberly Ryan

CSA member name

Point of contact

Phone number

Autorité des marchés financiers 

Sylvain Théberge

514-940-2176

Alberta Securities Commission

Hilary McMeekin

403-592-8186

British Columbia Securities Commission

Alison Walker 

604-899-6713

Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan

Shannon McMillan

306-798-4160

Financial and Consumer Services Commission, New Brunswick

Erin King

506-643-7045

Government of Prince Edward Island, Superintendent of Securities

Steve Dowling

902-368-6288

Manitoba Securities Commission

Jason (Jay) Booth

204-945-1660

Nova Scotia Securities Commission

David Harrison

902-424-8586

Nunavut Securities Office

Jeff Mason

867-975-6591

Office of the Superintendent of Securities, Newfoundland and Labrador

John O'Brien

709-729-4909

Office of the Superintendent of Securities, Northwest Territories

Tom Hall

867-767-9305

Office of the Yukon Superintendent of Securities

Rhonda Horte

867-667-5466

Ontario Securities Commission

Kristen Rose

416-593-2336

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