Justin Trudeau is unimpressed with the Harper government’s approach to medical marijuana.
During an appearance at the University of Manitoba on Wednesday (October 9), he told the assembled crowd that he would like to see medical marijuana patients retain the ability to grow their own pot.
“The current approach is not working,” the federal Liberal leader told the group after being asked what his stance was on medical marijuana and the rights of patients to grow their own supply.
Under the outgoing Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR), a person must apply for a permit to possess marijuana. If approved, they then have the options of either producing their own product or purchasing it from a licensed grower or Health Canada. But as of April 1, 2014, the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) will come into effect, and patients will only be able to obtain medical marijuana from licensed producers.
The federal government claims the MMPR will “provide access to quality-controlled marihuana for medical purposes, produced under secure and sanitary conditions”. However, as it eliminates the ability for medical marijuana patients to grow their own pot, activist fear many people will no longer have access to specialized strains they have relied on. As well, dispensaries and many compassion clubs will have to close under the new rules, and there are fears the new system will increase prices.
– Read the entire article at The Georgia Straight.
