Pubdate: Wed, 23 Apr 2014
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Page: S2
Copyright: 2014 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Sheryl Ubelacker

PRODUCER RECALLS BATCH OF MEDICINAL POT

Nanaimo Grower Urges Consumer Not To Smoke 'Purple Kush' Strain After
Health Canada Inspection Uncovers Production Problems

The recall is due to issues with the company's production practices,
which were identified during an inspection by Health Canada and may
impact the product. Health Canada advisory

A B.C. producer of medical marijuana has voluntarily recalled a batch
of its "purple kush" strain and is advising consumers not to smoke the
weed after a Health Canada inspection of the grower's operations
turned up "issues" with its production practices.

In what is believed to be the first recall of medical cannabis in
Canada, Greenleaf Medicinals of Nanaimo, B.C., is advising clients to
immediately stop using any marijuana they still possess from batch
number PK-10-20-13.

"The recall is due to issues with the company's production practices,
which were identified during an inspection by Health Canada and may
impact the product," the federal department said in an advisory.

The advisory did not disclose the problems with Greenleaf's production
nor what adverse effects might occur from smoking or ingesting the
recalled pot.

A Health Canada spokesperson was not available to provide additional
information Tuesday.

Greenleaf also could not be reached for comment; its website appears
to have been taken down and the company's name does not appear on
Health Canada's online list of authorized growers of medical marijuana.

However, the department said in its advisory that the company had said
it was working with other licensed producers to find a supply of
purple kush for its clients. Purple kush is considered a potent strain
of cannabis, with a high concentration of the psychoactive ingredient
THC.

About a dozen producers have been licensed by Health Canada to sell
various strains of medicinal marijuana after the federal government
revamped regulations governing access to the drug.

As of April 1, federal authorization to possess medicinal pot for
patients with chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and a variety of other
ailments shifted from Health Canada to physicians.

Under the new program, doctors can provide a prescription that allows
patients with symptoms that may be helped by medical pot to purchase
up to 150 grams of dried weed each month from a licensed commercial
grower.

Producers are subject to compliance and enforcement measures similar
to those that regulate producers of other controlled substances.
Licensed medical marijuana growers must meet strict security, control
and reporting requirements, and are regularly inspected.

"Dried marijuana is not an approved drug or medicine in Canada.
Possession and use of marijuana remains illegal unless authorized
under regulations with the support of a doctor or nurse practitioner,"
Health Canada said.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D