Backgrounder - Proposed Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations

News Release - Harper Government Announces Proposed New Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations - Changes improve public safety, maintain patient access

Based on consultations with a broad range of stakeholders, the Government of Canada is concerned that the current Marihuana Medical Access Program is far too open to abuse.

While courts have ordered that there must be reasonable access to marihuana for medical purposes for patients that are seriously ill, this must be done in a controlled fashion in order to protect public safety.

The proposed Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations balance the needs of patients with public health, security and safety concerns. These changes will strengthen the safety of Canadian communities, while making sure patients can access what they need to treat serious illnesses.

The new regulations' objective is to treat marihuana as much as possible like other narcotics used for medical purposes by:

• Eliminating risky production of marihuana by individuals in their homes;
• Ending Health Canada's role in authorizing individuals to possess and produce marihuana and in supplying and distributing marihuana; and
• Creating conditions for the establishment of a regulated commercial market of licensed producers responsible for the production and distribution of marihuana for medical purposes. These regulated licensed producers would have to meet extensive security and quality control requirements.
• Patients would obtain a medical document, similar to a prescription, and purchase marihuana directly from a licensed producer.
• Individuals would be able to obtain a medical document from a licensed medical practitioner, or, if permitted by provincial or territorial governments, from a nurse practitioner. If permitted by provinces and territories, pharmacists could also dispense marihuana directly to individuals.
  

The regulations would also streamline the process to obtain access to marihuana for medical purposes for individuals and improve the quality of this product by:

• No longer requiring individuals to apply to Health Canada - and submit their personal medical information to the government - for authorization to access marihuana for medical purposes;
• No longer requiring individuals to consult a specialist in addition to their health care practitioner;
• Simplifying the process for health care practitioners to support access by removing the requirement to sign a medical declaration and fill out Health Canada forms;
• Providing access to quality-controlled marihuana for medical purposes by requiring licensed producers to be subject to inspections and good production practices.