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Comments About MMAR By Health Canada In 2003.
By admin | November 10, 2004
BBSNews
July 9,2003.
The preceding report was provided to BBSNews by Health Canada.
The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Health, today announced that in response to the decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Hitzig et al. v. Her Majesty the Queen, the Government of Canada is adopting an interim policy on the provision of marihuana for medical purposes. This will ensure that the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) remain in effect, pending clarification by the Courts of the Government of Canada’s roles and responsibilities with respect to the provision of marihuana for medical purposes.
Under a form of cost recovery, this interim policy will:
make marihuana seeds available to persons authorized to produce marihuana for medical purposes and who do not currently have plants at any stage of production; and,
provide a legal source and supply of dried marihuana to individuals authorized to use marihuana for medical purposes who are unable to produce it themselves or find a person who can produce on their behalf under the MMAR.
The marihuana seeds and product will come from Prairie Plant Systems Inc., the company currently under contract with Health Canada to produce marihuana for clinical trials.
At the same time that these steps are being taken, the Government of Canada remains committed to the original purpose of its contract with PPS to supply marihuana: the conduct of clinical trials to determine the safety and efficacy of marihuana for medical purposes, and will continue to move forward in this area.
“As Minister of Health, my first obligation is to ensure the safety and efficacy of this product. Marihuana is not a proven therapeutic product. Therefore, I remain committed to the Government of Canada’s medical marihuna research program, which promotes research on the medical value of marihuana while taking a compassionate approach to Canadians who suffer from serious medical conditions,” said Minister McLellan.
The interim policy announced today ensures that both the MMAR and prohibitions related to marihuana in Ontario will remain in effect.
Although this interim policy can be amended or suspended at any time, it is anticipated that it will remain in effect until such time as the Government of Canada’s roles and responsibilities with respect to a supply of marihuana for medical purposes have been clarified by the Courts and the Government of Canada has had time to review and assess such clarification.
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