FREDERICTON (GNB) – The government has awarded up to $294,000 to four projects under the Cannabis Education and Awareness Fund, and a new call for applications has been issued.

“The Cannabis Education and Awareness Fund was implemented to support building knowledge and gathering data to understand the long-range implications of legalized cannabis,” said Finance and Treasury Board Minister Ernie Steeves. “The selected projects fulfil this mandate and will work to reduce the harm and potential risks, while educating those who are most at risk. I am looking forward to the next round of submissions where we can consider additional opportunities for investment.”

The following projects were awarded funding:

  • The Safe Cannabis Storage Initiative will be administered by Public Health at a cost of up to $104,400, providing storage units to families with barriers to safe storage options to help prevent accidental cannabis ingestion by children.
  • Cannabis NB’s Good to Know campaign was awarded $80,000 to update fact-based cannabis information for consumers.
  • Cannabis NB was awarded $60,000 to provide free online training to help law enforcement and others identify illegal products.
  • The Weed Out the Risk program provided by Mothers Against Drunk Driving in collaboration with Cannabis NB was awarded $50,000 to deliver education sessions in schools.

The fund is financed through Cannabis NB’s supply agreements with federally licensed producers to support:

  • Education and awareness programs on the responsible use of cannabis. This includes developing and implementing policies and programs related to harm reduction and the sale of cannabis, and strategies to reduce the adverse health effects of cannabis.
  • Research projects on the responsible use, prevention of abuse and reduction of adverse health effects of cannabis.
  • Departments, corporations or agencies of the provincial government that pursue education and awareness initiatives regarding the recreational use of cannabis.

Applications are now being accepted for the next round of funding. The deadline to apply is May 16.

More information on the fund and its eligibility requirements is available online.

04-04-22