WATERLOO, ON, Aug. 11, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, Health Canada introduced revised medical cannabis regulations related to the Allard case, the Federal Court case that struck down the unconstitutional Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) due to concerns around inadequate access and home growing.
The revised Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations announced today are similar to the previous cannabis regulatory regime, where under the MMAR patients were able to grow at home or designate another grower to produce for them (some of whom are still able to do so under an injunction).
Although Health Canada took a step in the right direction, these revised regulations may not adequately address the needs of all medical cannabis patients, especially when it comes to taxation and cost-coverage.
"While the new regulations address patients' ability to grow their own cannabis, the regulations fail to address the urgent issue of affordability for patients who are unable to do so," said Jonathan Zaid, Founder and Executive Director of Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM). "Time and time again the courts have ruled in favour of medical cannabis patients. It's about time Health Canada and the government actively listen and address the concerns of patients instead of continuing along with the litigious environment we have seen to date."
Even with these revisions, patients will likely continue to struggle with affordability. The modified regulatory system will not include measures to bolster cost-coverage and sales will still be unfairly subjected to HST.
Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana strongly encourages the federal government to address patients' concerns and ensure their needs are prioritized as the government progresses into legalizing and regulating recreational marijuana.
SOURCE Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM)
Image with caption: "Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM) logo (CNW Group/Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160811_C2474_PHOTO_EN_751615.jpg
For further information/interviews: Jonathan Zaid, Founder/Executive Director, [email protected], 416-837-5972
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