Pubdate: Wed, 03 Jun 2015
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Darrell Bellaart
Page: A3

MEDICAL POT PRODUCER PARTS WITH NATIONAL GROUP

Nanaimo industrial medical cannabis producer Tilray is parting ways
with the national association of growers to start its own organization
to set ethical standards for the industry.

Tilray, which has more than $70 million in U.S. equity backing, and
which Fortune Magazine describes as the largest legal pot maker in the
world, said it has been working for several months to develop a code
of ethics with the Canadian Medical Cannabis Industry
Association.

The company has chosen to go it alone after failing to get consensus
on a set of ethical standards of conduct for the industry.

Tilray CEO Greg Engel wants to improve the image of the cannabis
industry, which he said is "tainted" by its history as an illegal drug.

"Our concern is that a number of licensed producers are either
directly, or indirectly paying for patient referrals," Engel said.

Tilray, which produces medical cannabis at its Maughan Road facility,
has received numerous $50 invoices from doctors and clinics across
Canada, for submitting medical documents Health Canada requires so a
patient can legally use marijuana to treat a medical condition.

Tilray considers it billing for referrals, something that is
prohibited by provincial colleges of physicians, the bodies that
oversee the professional conduct of doctors.

"Our objective is to produce the highest quality product and support
efforts that enable the patient and their physician alone to make an
informed choice on the best medical cannabis strain for their
individual medical need," Engel said.

"Tilray has never and will never compensate a physician for a referral
or for writing a prescription for medical cannabis. We believe
patients are best served when treatment choices are made without
financial influence or incentive."

Tilray spoke to members earlier this year, then raised the issue at
CMCIA's annual general meeting in March and again at a board meeting
in April, where it was voted down. While announcing its decision to
leave the association Tilray invited producers to join the Canadian
Medical Cannabis Council.

Neil Belot, CMCIA executive director, said in a statement that Tilray
resigned from the industry body before the matter was resolved.

"The CMCIA continues to work with our members to build a strong
ethical foundation for partnerships with physicians and patients,
while avoiding conflict with Canadian competition law, and preserving
ongoing efforts to support the growth and development of medical
cannabis research and data collection with integrity," Belot said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt