Health Canada's Supply of Marihuana Seeds and Dried Marihuana for Medical Purposes - Frequently Asked Questions

December 2009

Product:

Q 1. What strain is the marihuana?

A 1. The product is obtained from a strain of pistillate (female) Cannabis sativa spp. (marihuana) plants which are described as moderate in height (90-120 cm) with a moderate degree of branching (10-15 side branches) from the main stalk. Each of the side branches bearing smaller resin laden flowering heads along the length and terminating in a dense, conical, resin laden flowering head of mean length 25-45 cm. The plants are green to light green in color and possess an aroma described as fresh and fruit-like.

Q 2. How is the product tested?

A 2. The marihuana grown under contract for Health Canada by Prairie Plant Systems (PPS) is grown under very strict, controlled and documented conditions. The product is tested to determine its THC content, its content in 28 metals including heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and mercury and for the presence of mould spores. In addition, the product is irradiated prior to distribution to eliminate any viable mould spores. This is a process which is also used in the Netherlands, the only other country which grows and provides access to marihuana for therapeutic purposes. The PPS product meets or surpasses all of the requirements established by Health Canada for natural health products. Since there have never been specific standards developed for marihuana, natural health products standards are used in both Canada and the Netherlands.

Distribution:

Q 3. How do I access Health Canada's supply?

A 3. First, you must be authorized to possess under the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations or exempted to access marihuana for medical purposes. You can apply for Health Canada's supply by filling out an Application to Obtain Dried Marihuana or an Application to Obtain Marihuana Seeds.

If approved for product, in order to receive marihuana seeds and/or dried marihuana from Health Canada, you will be required to pay in full for any product ordered. The product will be shipped by courier. You have the option of having product delivered to either your home or your physician's office.

Q 4. How much supply can I order?

A 4. You can receive a month's supply based on your approved daily dosage.

Q 5. Once approved do I need to reapply?

A 5. You need to apply for access to Health Canada's supply on a yearly basis when you apply for renewal of your authorization to possess.

Q 6. Can I order both seeds and dried marihuana?

A 6. In order to give you time to harvest your first crop from Health Canada seeds, you can order an interim supply of dried marihuana for a maximum period of four months. The four month period is based on an estimated 90 to 100 day grow cycle.

Cost:

Q 7. How much does the product cost?

A 7. A packet of 30 seeds will cost $20, plus GST, and where applicable, PST. The dried marihuana costs patients $5 gram, plus GST, and where applicable, PST.

Q 8. Why does the government charge for medical marihuana?

A 8. Health Canada incurs costs for the production of the marihuana. Prices are based on the actual cost of production and an estimate of costs associated with the distribution of the product. Prices are subject to change.

Q 9. Why isn't marihuana for medical purposes covered by provincial health insurance?

A 9. Dried marihuana is not covered by provincial health insurance plans because it is not an approved therapeutic drug under the Food and Drug Act. Authorized persons should contact their local health insurance authorities and their private health insurance providers directly for information about coverage.

Persons who are authorized to possess and/or produce marihuana for medical purposes can however, claim the costs of their marihuana supply as a medical expense for tax purposes provided they have receipts from the Government of Canada (for Health Canada product) or from their designated producer. For detailed information, please consult the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website at: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-e.html or contact CRA at the toll-free number 1-800-959-8281.

Q 10. Will I be reimbursed if I return the product?

A 10. You will be reimbursed for unopened packages that are returned. You will not be reimbursed for any and all opened packages, even if returned. Please contact the Marihuana Medical Access Division toll-free at 1-866-337-7705 on how to proceed.

Order:

Q 11. What are the changes in the ordering and payment process?

A 11. Beginning November 30, 2009, payment in full will be required for any product purchased, and before each order is processed and shipped.

Also effective on that date, a payment arrangement plan on accounts in arrears must be established as a condition before any further orders of seeds or dried marihuana from Health Canada are processed and shipped.

Q 12. Why has Health Canada decided to change the process for ordering dried marihuana/marihuana seeds now?

A 12. Health Canada has been providing dried marihuana and/or marihuana seeds to Marihuana Medical Access Program (the Program) authorized persons since 2003.

Since that time, the Program has continued to grow in size and orders for the Health Canada product have increased, resulting in the Department incurring a significant amount of debt as a result of the accounts in arrears of some authorized persons.

This change to a purchase-in-advance system will streamline the ordering and payment process and will prevent further increases to the debt load of the Department as a result of the accounts in arrears of some authorized persons.

Q 13. How will this change affect persons authorized to possess marihuana for medical purposes that produce their own supply of marihuana, or have designated someone else to produce it for them?

A 13. This change will only affect those authorized persons who purchase dried marihuana and/or marihuana seeds from Health Canada. As clients will be required to pay for product at the time that they order it, they will no longer receive an invoice for the amount due upon receiving their shipment. Health Canada will now send a statement of account/receipt with each shipment.

Q 14. Why does Health Canada require payment in advance from persons who purchase the Department's supply of dried marihuana and marihuana seeds?

A 14. This change to a purchase-in-advance system will streamline the ordering and payment process and will prevent further increases to the debt load of the Department as a result of the accounts in arrears of some authorized persons.

Q 15. Will the cost for Health Canada's supply of dried marihuana and marihuana seeds increase?

A 15. No, the cost will not increase.

Q 16. How do I place my order now that the order process has changed?

A 16. Persons authorized to possess and/or produce marihuana for medical purposes who chose to access Health Canada's supply of dried marihuana and marihuana seeds can place their orders by mail, e-mail, or fax. Orders should be directed to:

Health Canada
Accounts Receivable
A.L.: 3203B
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0K9
Fax: 1-613-957-3495
Email: ar-cr@hc-sc.gc.ca

Q 17. What are my options for paying for my order of dried marihuana/marihuana seeds?

A 17. Persons authorized to possess and/or produce marihuana for medical purposes can pay by certified cheque, money order, or credit card. Payment is to be made to the Receiver General of Canada, in Canadian funds.

Q 18. What happens if my account is in arrears?

A 18. Effective November 30, 2009, in order to receive further shipment of marihuana seeds and/or dried marihuana from Health Canada, payment in advance must be received. Also effective on that date, a payment arrangement plan on accounts in arrears must be established as a condition before any further orders of seeds or dried marihuana from Health Canada are processed and shipped.

Health Canada is committed to providing fair and equitable access to marihuana for medical purposes. The Department respects the reduced financial circumstances of some individuals who are authorized to possess and/or produce marihuana for medical purposes, and recognizes that this can make it difficult for them to make payments for their Health Canada supply of marihuana products.

Q 19. What is a payment arrangement?

A 19. A payment arrangement is an agreement between the authorized person in arrears and Health Canada to recover amounts owed to the Receiver General for Canada for product previously purchased.

Q 20. If my account is in arrears, will it be sent to a collection agency?

A 20. When Health Canada attempts to recover outstanding account balances which do not result in a positive outcome, accounts are turned over to a collection agency.

Q 21. If my account is in arrears, is there any way I can be exempt from payment?

A 21. There is no provision under the Policy on Supply of Marihuana Seeds and Dried Marihuana for Medical Purposes that allows for authorized persons to be exempt from payment for the government supply of marihuana for medical purposes.

Q 22. If my account is in arrears, what are my options to pay off my debt?

A 22. Health Canada is committed to working with authorized persons whose accounts are in arrears, and encourages them to contact Health Canada Accounts Receivable as soon as possible in order to work out payment arrangements.

Payments can be made by certified cheque, money order, or credit card.

Q 23. What is the interest rate on the money I owe to Health Canada for my marihuana for medical purposes?

A 23. The interest rate is calculated at a rate equal to the Bank of Canada rate + 3%.

General Information: