Medical Marijuana Dispensary Gives New Regulations "B" Grade

MONTREAL, Dec. 15, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Medical Cannabis Access Society (MCAS), a non-profit medical marijuana dispensary based in Montréal, is cautiously optimistic about the new Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR), being put forward by the Government of Canada.

"Health Canada has taken a great deal of the advice we provided during consultations last summer," said Adam Greenblatt, Executive Director of MCAS. "Unfortunately, they didn't take all of our counsel, which would have resulted in a far more patient-friendly regime.  Still, we look forward to integrating our dispensary into the new framework and to operating in full compliance with the new regulations."

There remain highly contentious issues, among them a predicted price increase, the discontinuation of personal grow licenses, and opposition from medical regulators.

"Rescinding the personal grow licenses is rather coercive, especially in the absence of cost-coverage and in light of recent changes to the criminal code," said Greenblatt.  "For many patients who grow their own, this is one step forward and two steps back.  However, creating a commercial marketplace is ostensibly progressive."

Despite these concerns, the MCAS maintains a positive outlook.  "We are witnessing the convergence of a flowering social justice movement with an emergent commercial sector.  It's going to be a bumpy ride, and MCAS has the capacity and expertise to assist going forward."

The MCAS applauds the team at Health Canada for its work to date on this file and remains open to working with authorities in the spirit of improving the regulations.

SOURCE: Medical Cannabis Access Society

Please contact Adam Greenblatt for an interview, an appointment for a private tour of the MCAS dispensary, or for further information.

[phone]
[email protected]