Authorization and Licencing Information for Residents of British Columbia

On April 13, 2012 the Supreme Court of British Columbia rendered a decision regarding the use of marihuana for medical purposes. The decision removed the word 'dried' from the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR), which allows for the possession and production of manual and chemical extractions of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from marihuana, including hashish, hash oil, resin, and oil. This decision is applicable only in British Columbia and not the rest of Canada.

As suspended, the court's ruling does not allow individuals who hold a Designated-Person Production Licence (DPPL) to provide to individuals who are authorized to possess marihuana for medical purposes anything other than dried marihuana. As per the decision, only British Columbia residents who are authorized to possess marihuana for medical purposes may deal with the medical marihuana they are licensed to possess in a way that they see fit for their own medical benefit.

This decision does not allow for the creation, manufacture or production of any synthetic form of cannabis or its components.

Outside of British Columbia, holders of an authorization to possess marihuana for medical purposes issued by Health Canada under the MMAR may consume their dried marihuana by smoking it, or by using the dried marihuana in food, or with a vapourizer. The processing of dried marihuana into cannabis preparations and derivatives (including but not limited to marihuana resin or extraction of THC by chemicals) and the possession of such substances fall outside the scope of the MMAR are therefore prohibited under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) outside of British Columbia.