Dispensaries are Indispensable: Compassion clubs launch first certification program
VANCOUVER, June 19, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries (CAMCD) will launch its Certification Program tomorrow. The announcement coincides with the publication of Health Canada's Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations today in the Canada Gazette.
"The CAMCD Certification Program prioritizes quality patient care, due diligence, and social responsibility," said Adam Greenblatt, CAMCD President. "Our goal is to help medical cannabis dispensaries integrate into the healthcare system and adapt to shifts in the industry."
Medical cannabis dispensaries (aka compassion clubs) have been operating in Canada since 1996, and serve approximately 40,000 patients across Canada. Dispensaries supply a wide variety of medical cannabis products and derivatives, and provide crucial support around dosing, effective use, and harm reduction.
Despite recommendations from many stakeholders to include community-based dispensaries in the new regulations, Health Canada has opted for a mail-order only distribution system. "This will obstruct reasonable access to medical cannabis, and could result in the disruption of care for tens of thousands of Canadians," said Mr. Greenblatt. "Dispensaries have been filling these gaps for over a decade, and our Certification Program will affirm the important role dispensaries play in the provision of medical cannabis."
Development of the Certification Program was supported in part by a grant awarded to researchers at the University of British Columbia from the Peter Wall Solutions Initiative. "This is a thorough and rigorous program," said Rielle Capler. SEED Project Coordinator, "We want to support dispensaries to provide the highest quality of patient care while ensuring community concerns are addressed."
CAMCD was established to promote a regulated, community-based approach to medical cannabis access, and to support dispensaries to provide the highest quality of patient care.
SOURCE: Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries
Contact: Adam Greenblatt - CAMCD President - 1 514 830 1331
Certification Standards: http://bit.ly/19SGH25
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