NOTICE: None of the changes outlined will be finalized until the proposed Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations come into effect and licensed producers are established.  Until that time, individuals can continue to access dried marihuana for medical purposes through the current program. 

How to Access Dried Marihuana for Medical Purposes under the Proposed Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations

The following steps outline what the process of obtaining dried marihuana for medical purposes would be under the proposed regulations. Please see the proposed  Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations for full details on requirements. If you wish to provide feedback on the changes, please see Upcoming Consultations.

• Step 1: Consult with a Health Care Practitioner
• Step 2: Obtain a Medical Document completed by your Health Care Practitioner
• Step 3: Register and Order with a Licensed Producer
• Step 4: Delivery of your Marihuana for Medical Purposes

Step 1: Consult with a Health Care Practitioner

Treatment decisions are best made with your health care practitioner. 

The proposed Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations would include a new definition of authorized health care practitioner that includes medical practitioners in all provinces and territories, and nurse practitioners in provinces and territories where prescribing dried marihuana for medical purposes is permitted under their scope of practice under the laws of the province or territory in which they are registered and entitled to practise.

Step 2: Obtain a Medical Document completed by your Health Care Practitioner

In order to register with and receive dried marihuana for medical purposes from a licensed producer, first, you would have to obtain a medical document from your authorized health care practitioner.

The proposed regulations do not indicate a specific document to be used by health care practitioners. Health care practitioners would have the flexibility of completing Health Canada's sample document or of providing the required information stipulated by the regulation, in another format.

The proposed MMPR stipulates that the following information must be included on a medical document signed and dated by the health care practitioner:

• patient's full name;
• the patient's date of birth;
• address where the patient consulted with the practitioner;
• daily grams of dried marihuana to be used by the patient, the period of use  (i.e. number of days, weeks or months), not to exceed one year from the date the medical document is signed by the health care practitioner; and
• the health care practitioner's name and, administrative information (profession, licence number, province of licence, business address, phone number, fax number and email address, if applicable);
• an attestation by the health care practitioner that the information contained in the document is correct and complete.

During the transition period to the new system, current program participants would not necessarily have to return to their health care practitioner immediately to obtain a new medical document. You would be allowed to use either your Health Canada-issued authorization or the original medical declaration signed by your physician to register with a licensed producer and place an order of dried marihuana from a licensed producer. Authorizations issued under the current program could be accepted by licensed producers for up to 1 year after the date of issuance, unless a shorter period of time is specified.

Step 3: Register and Order with a Licensed Producer

Once you have obtained an original medical document from your authorized health care practitioner, you would be able to choose a licensed producer. After registering as a client, you would be able to order dried marihuana from the licensed producer.

If you have a valid Health Canada-issued authorization to possess or the original medical declaration signed by your physician, you can register with a licensed producer and place an order of dried marihuana from a licensed producer, for up to 1 year after the date of issuance, unless a shorter period of time is specified. 

Step 4: Shipping of your dried Marihuana for Medical Purposes

The primary means of distribution of dried marihuana would be directly from the licensed producer to the registered client using secure shipping methods; as the proposed Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations do not allow for store-front or retail distribution centres.

However, under the proposed regulations, pharmacists would have the ability to dispense dried marihuana for medical purposes, provided that provincial or territorial regulations governing the practice of pharmacy permit them to do so. In provinces and territories where pharmacists are authorized to dispense dried marihuana for medical purposes, individuals would be able to go to a pharmacy with their original medical document to receive dried marihuana. They would not be required to register with a licensed producer.

Possession of Dried Marihuana for Medical Purposes:

You would be authorized to possess a quantity of dried marihuana that does not exceed the lesser of 150 grams or thirty times the daily quantity of dried marihuana stipulated by your health care practitioner.

For example, if your authorized health care practitioner recommends 3 grams per day, you would be able to possess your monthly supply of 90 grams at any one time.  At 5 grams per day, you would be able to possess 150 grams at any one time.

Showing Proof of Legal Possession of Marihuana for Medical Purposes:

If required by law enforcement, you would be able to demonstrate that you are in legal possession of dried marihuana for medical purposes with, for example:

1. the label on the marihuana package containing your specific client information
2. in combination with an appropriate piece of  photo identification (for example, a driver's licence or a health card).

You would no longer receive an authorization to possess from Health Canada.