CMCIA Welcomes New Medical Cannabis Product Options for Patients

TORONTO, July 9, 2015 /CNW/ - The medical cannabis industry welcomes today's decision by Health Canada to immediately expand the range of product options that MMPR Licensed Producers (LPs) can produce and sell to authorized Canadians in need. The regulatory agency announced that LPs that comply with strict terms and conditions may now apply to produce and sell cannabis oil, cannabis leaves, and fresh cannabis flower.

"Following several weeks of consultation with the CMCIA and its members, the government has responded quickly to the needs of patients and the recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling," said Neil Belot, Executive Director of the Canadian Medical Cannabis Industry Association (CMCIA). "By including a greater variety of options for different modes of delivery, Canada has shown itself once again to be a world leader in compassionate and rational medical cannabis policy." 

Prior to today, the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) restricted Licensed Producers to the sale of dried cannabis flowers only, which required that people who use cannabis for medical purposes either smoke or vaporize the plant matter, or prepare their own extractions.

Health Canada's decision to allow certain ingestible forms of medical cannabis is particularly welcome given that many patients, such as those with cardiovascular disease, are not able to use cannabis via inhalation. In addition, many patients find they are better able to manage the symptoms of their health condition by ingesting, rather than inhaling the product.

The CMCIA looks forward to continuing to work with its members, patients, healthcare practitioners, Health Canada, and other stakeholder groups to ensure these new medical cannabis products are administered safely, effectively and responsibly.

About the CMCIA
The Canadian Medical Cannabis Industry Association (CMCIA) is Canada's leading member-driven association for Licensed Producers (LPs) of medical cannabis. We represent the majority of producers currently licensed under the Health Canada's Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR), in force as of June 19, 2013.

The CMCIA's mission is to promote national standards and best practices by supporting the development, growth and integrity of the medical cannabis industry. The association acts as the national voice for Canada's LPs, and serves as a credible and trusted resource on issues related to medical cannabis industry.

The association shares a philosophy of patient-centric care and improved public health, and is committed to product safety and quality, secure and reliable access for qualified patients, and the promotion of the safe and effective use of cannabis for medical purposes.

SOURCE Canadian Medical Cannabis Industry Association

Neil Belot, Executive Director, CMCIA, 647-801-5108, E: [email protected]