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The CCIC recognizes that many members, health care practitioners, patients and the public have questions and concerns about the proposed revisions to Canada's federally regulated program for patients to access cannabis for medical purposes. This page will be updated as developments unfold and highlights are identified. We hope to keep you informed; please check back regularly or provide your feedback and input. If you have information, links or suggestions to include in this page please email them to info@ccic.net .

Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR)

Health Canada Announces Proposed New Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations - Changes improve public safety, maintain patient access (Dec 16, 2012).

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Notice to the CCIC

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, announced on December 16, 2012 that the Government of Canada is proposing significant changes to the way Canadians obtain marihuana for medical purposes. The Government of Canada is concerned with the possible abuse of the Marihuana Medical Access Program. That is why the Minister of Health is proposing a new approach, through the proposed Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations, that would strengthen the safety of Canadian communities, while making sure patients can access what they need to treat serious illnesses.

 

These proposed regulations would provide access to quality-controlled marihuana for medical purposes to those Canadians who need it, while streamlining the process for applicants and health care practitioners. The government’s goal is to treat dried marihuana like other narcotics used for medical purposes by creating conditions for a new, commercial industry that would be responsible for its production and distribution.

 

Interested parties planning on applying to become licensed producers can work with Health Canada now to apply for an authorization to conduct certain research and development (R&D) activities with marihuana such as testing marihuana plant materials and growing conditions on-site. Beginning these research and development activities now may help potential licensed producers to be ready to apply for a licence when the regulations come into force.

 

The detailed proposed regulations have also been published in Canada Gazette, Part I for a 75-day comment period. You are invited to submit comments on the proposed regulations on or before February 28, 2012. You can access the proposed regulations through Health Canada’s website at:

 

http://hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marihuana/future-avenir/index-eng.php

 

Comments may be provided in English or French by e-mail, fax, or mail by using the coordinates set out below.

 

By E-mail: consultations-marihuana@hc-sc.gc.ca

 

By Fax: (613) 941-7240

 

By Mail:
Bureau of Medical Marihuana Regulatory Reform,
Controlled Substances and Tobacco Directorate,
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch,
Health Canada,
Address Locator: AL3503D
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

 

None of these changes will be finalized until MMPR comes into effect in 2013. Until that time, individuals can continue to access marihuana for medical purposes through the current program. It is Health Canada’s intention to fully implement this new system by April 1, 2014.

 

Timeline leading to the new MMPR

April 2011 : Ontario Superior Court Rules Health Canada’s Marihuana Medical Access Program (MMAP) is unconstitutional (ruling : http://www.canlii.org/eliisa/highlight.do?text=mernagh&language=en&searchTitle=Search+all+CanLII+Databases&path=/en/on/onsc/doc/2011/2011onsc2121/2011onsc2121.html ).

 

April-July 2011 : Consultation Period for revsions to the MMAP (results : http://hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/consultation/marihuana/_2011/program/consult_reform-eng.php ).

 

December 2012 : Health Canada announces proposed improvements to the MMAP termed the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) (announcement : http://hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marihuana/future-avenir/index-eng.php ).

 

December 16 2012 - February 28, 2013 : Health Canada receiving comments on the MMPR ( http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2012/2012-12-15/html/reg4-eng.html ) .

 

February 28, 2013: Comments Submitted to Health Canada on proposed revisions to the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations
CCIC
Canadian Medical Association

 

Spring 2013 : MMPR expected to come into force.

 

Spring 2013 – March 31, 2014 - both the current MMAP and the MMPR will operate concurrently – the Transition Period (http://hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marihuana/future-avenir/transition-eng.php ).

 

October 1, 2013, Health Canada will no longer accept new applications under the MMAP for production licences or applications to change the location of a production site. This is because the time required to obtain seeds and produce a viable crop of marihuana for medical purposes is approximately six months and all production under the current program must end on March 31, 2014.

 

March 31, 2014 - the MMAP will end. Health Canada will no longer produce or sell marihuana for medical purposes, and home production will no longer be allowed. All individuals requiring marihuana for medical purposes would have to purchase it from an approved licensed producer.

 

April 1, 2014 – MMPR and The new system of supply and distribution of marihuana for medical purposes by licensed producers is anticipated to be fully operational.

 

Spring 2015 - Formative evaluation will occur around the end of the first year of implementation. This evaluation will focus on implementation issues and identify potential risks to achieving the objectives of the regulatory reform.

 

Spring 2019 - An evaluation of the proposed MMPR will occur five years after implementation and every five years thereafter. The evaluation will assess the achievement of outcomes of the proposed MMPR along with those of any administrative and program support systems put in place.