The federal government is shaking up its medical marijuana regime.
In response to a federal court ruling this spring which upheld patients rights to grow cannabis, Ottawa will now allow people with doctor’s clearance to do so.
However, Deputy Health Minister Jacqueline Bogden says this doesn’t change anything for dispensaries.
“Dispensaries & compassion clubs are not authorized to sell cannabis for medical or any other purposes. These operations are illegally supplied and provide products that are unregulated and may be unsafe.”
It also doesn’t change any plans of the government to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana next year. Bogden says the move simply meets the deadline set out by the court ruling in the meantime.
The new system will also allow patients to designate others to grow on their behalf.
“Not it all instances will people be able to produce for themselves, some individuals who access this program are actually, quite not well.”
Changes will come into effect August 24th.