Transitioning to a New System

When will the proposed regulations come into effect?

The proposed Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations are anticipated to come into effect in mid-2013. At this point, the new system of supply and distribution of marihuana for medical purposes by licensed producers will come into effect.  However, Health Canada will continue to operate its current Marihuana Medical Access Program until March 31, 2014.  This will ensure that program participants will continue to have access to marihuana for medical purposes while licensed producers are establishing their businesses.  On April 1, 2014, individuals would only be able to access marihuana for medical purposes under the new system.

Key milestones are outlined below.  All program participants will be given sufficient notice of when any Program changes will occur.

Fall 2012

Proposed Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations announced. 75-day comment period begins

Winter 2012

Research & development opportunities for prospective licensed producers

Spring 2013

Proposed Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations expected to come into force

Spring 2013 - March 31, 2014

Transition period during which current Program & new system operate together

April 1, 2014

All authorizations and licences under Marihuana Medical Access Regulations expire

Winter 2012

• Health Canada, through Public Works and Government Services Canada, will exercise the final optional year on the Government's contract with Prairie Plant Systems for the production and distribution of marihuana for medical purposes. This option year will run from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014, and will ensure that program participants who choose to purchase dried marihuana from Health Canada will continue to have access to a legal supply of marihuana for medical purposes during the transition period.
• Health Canada will inform interested parties that they may apply to become authorized to conduct certain research and development activities with marihuana now, including testing plant materials and growing conditions. These activities could help potential licensed producers to be ready to apply for a licence as soon as the proposed regulations come into force.
• Health Canada will announce its intention to align the price of its supply of marihuana for medical purposes with that of established licensed producers.

Spring 2013

• The MMPR areexpected to come into force.
• The current program and the new system would both operate until March 31, 2014.  During that time, individuals could choose to continue to access marihuana for medical purposes under the existing program or order directly from a licensed producer (as soon as they are approved by Health Canada).
• Individuals would be allowed to use their Health Canada-issued authorization to possess or the medical declaration signed by their physician, for up to one year, to register with a licensed producer and place an order for dried marihuana from a licensed producer.  This would help ensure that their supply of dried marihuana would not be interrupted when the current program comes to an end.
• Once the first established licensed producers have set a price for dried marihuana, Health Canada will align the price of its own supply.

October 1, 2013

• For existing authorized users, the current system would begin to wind down.  Health Canada would no longer accept new applications under the current program for production licences or applications to change the location of a production site. This is because the time required to obtain seeds and produce a viable crop of marihuana for medical purposes is approximately six months and all production under the current program must end on March 31, 2014.
• Health Canada would continue to renew personal use and designated production licences under the current MMAR.
• Health Canada's supply, as well as the supply provided by approved licensed producers, would be available during this time period.
• For new applicants, after October 1, 2013, individuals requiring access to marihuana for medical purposes who do not already hold a valid production licence for a given site would either have to obtain dried marihuana from Health Canada, or go directly to an approved licensed producer.

April 1, 2014

• The new system is expected to be fully implemented and the current program would end.
• All authorizations to possess and licences to produce issued under the current program would expire. Holders of personal use and designated person production licences would be required to destroy their crops.
• Health Canada would no longer produce or sell marihuana for medical purposes.
• All individuals requiring access to marihuana for medical purposes would have to obtain it from a licensed producer.   This competitive industry would set its own prices, choose to sell a variety of strains, and be subject to security requirements, inspections, and good manufacturing practices.