Information on cannabis record suspensions (Bill C-93)

The Government of Canada has passed Bill C-93, An Act to provide no-cost, expedited record suspensions for simple possession of cannabis.

This new law will allow individuals convicted of simple possession of cannabis only, who have served their sentence (excluding payment of fines and surcharges), to apply for a record suspension with no application fee and no waiting period.

Once the Bill comes into force, eligible individuals will be able to apply to the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) for a record suspension for this type of offence.

Simple possession of cannabis means a conviction for the possession of a controlled substance, in this case cannabis, for personal use only, with no intent to traffic. This streamlined process does not apply if you have other types of convictions on your criminal record. If you do, you will need to apply for a regular record suspension.

Details about this new streamlined process for convictions of simple possession of cannabis only, including the application Guide and forms, will be posted to the PBC’s website once the law comes into effect later this summer.