Waterloo, Ontario, July 9, 2015 – Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM) believes that Health Canada’s response to the Supreme Court of Canada ruling on medical cannabis derivative products (i.e. oils, edibles, tinctures, creams) is well-meant and a step in the right direction, but ultimately insufficient to meet the needs of many medical cannabis patients.

The Supreme Court ruled that Health Canada’s limit on dried marijuana was “arbitrary”, and struck down laws related to possession of cannabis-related products for authorized medical marijuana patients. Health Canada’s response, announced on July 8, 2015, to allow for the sale of edible oils and fresh cannabis, does not adequately address the Court’s ruling and once again arbitrarily limits the sale of cannabis products, seemingly without any consultation from patients.

“Health Canada’s proposed regulations will not help patients like me, who wish to purchase various cannabis products, including edibles and creams, from Licensed Producers,” said Jonathan Zaid, founder of CFAMM. “Even though many patients have successfully used alternative forms of cannabis to help manage the symptoms of their illnesses, and in spite of the fact that the Supreme Court has made it clear we should be able to possess all forms of cannabis, Health Canada has not been responsive enough to the legitimate needs of patients.”

Health Canada stated they would allow for the sale of fresh cannabis, presumably so patients can make derivatives, such as juice, from the fresh plant material. The proposed regulations do not address important concerns CFAMM has such as mould, freshness, production, and safety of shipping this product to patients.

CFAMM strongly urges Health Canada to consult with patients, physicians experienced with cannabis, and non-profit patients’ rights groups such as CFAMM to expand the rules to allow for access to all cannabis products through the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR).

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