WHEREAS the federal medical cannabis program administered through Health Canadas Marihuana Medical Access Division does not satisfy the constitutional rights of critically and chronically ill patients to access marihuana for medicinal use; AND WHEREAS the use of cannabis by legitimate cannabis patients is a health issue, and as such should be under the legislative purview of provincial governments: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the provincial government to work with the federal government toward the goal of decentralizing the administration and oversight of legitimate medical cannabis use and production from federal authority to provincial health ministries as part of their public and personal health mandate.
Ministry of Health Services Health Canadas Marihuana Medical Access Regulations define the circumstances and the manner in which access to marihuana for medical purposes is permitted. The Regulations contain three main components: Authorizations to possess dried marihuana; licences to produce marihuana, which include Personal-Use Production Licences and Designated Person Production Licences; and access to supply of marihuana seeds or dried marihuana. These regulations ensure individuals residing throughout Canada who suffer from grave and debilitating illnesses have consistent access to marihuana for medical use. The provincial government has neither the necessary expertise nor the infrastructure to license individuals who apply to possess marihuana or to monitor its production, cultivation quality and distribution. Unlike synthetic cannabinoids like Marinol and Cesamet, which are available through pharmacies in the province, marihuana for medical purposes has not been reviewed for patient safety and issued a Health Canada Notice of Compliance. Should marihuana be formulated and marketed as a pharmaceutical and receive a Health Canada Notice of Compliance, the province may reconsider its position.
Ministry of Health With regard to your concerns about Health Canadas Marihuana Medical Access Program, we are currently considering options for Program reform. In our considerations, we will focus on three key objectives: public health, safety and security; reasonable access to marihuana for medical purposes; and the overall costs to the Government. While I cannot determine when this review will be completed, it is being treated as a priority. The Department will ensure that any changes to the Program will balance the need to provide reasonable access to this controlled substance and the Governments responsibility to regulate it.