Pubdate: Thu, 23 Apr 2015
Source: Maple Ridge Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc
Contact:  http://www.mrtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1372
Author: Eric Costen

MEDICAL GRASS TOTALLY TRANSPARENT

Dear Editor,

Health Canada would never advise an applicant under the Marihuana for
Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) to misrepresent any aspect of
their proposed business [Concerned Maple Ridge residents come out in
droves for Whonnock marijuana farm hearing, March 24, TIMES].

In fact, the regulations include clear requirements that all
applicants must be transparent and notify local authorities -
including the local government, police, and fire authorities - of
their intent to seek a licence to produce marijuana for medical
purposes. This notification must also include the site address and
information regarding the proposed activities to be conducted.
Applicants must, in turn, provide Health Canada with proof that these
written notifications have been made as part of the
application.

Health Canada takes the additional step of calling local government
officials to verify that the notification has been received. The MMPR
set out strict criteria for the production and sale of marijuana for
medical purposes in a controlled fashion to protect public safety.
These include being subject to regular inspections, as well as
requirements that the site be safe and secure and that security
measures and Good Production Practices be closely followed.

We will continue to exercise the highest level of due diligence on all
applications to produce marijuana for medical purposes, including this
one.

Eric Costen, Health Canada
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MAP posted-by: Matt