Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jul 2015
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Matt Kieltyka
Page: 8

MEDICINAL WEED LAWS INCLUDE OIL AND BUDS

Health Canada revised its medical marijuana guidelines Wednesday, a 
month after the Supreme Court of Canada struck down limits on what 
constitutes legally acceptable products.

The new exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act 
allows licensed products to now produce and sell cannabis oil and 
fresh marijuana buds and leaves, in addition to dried marijuana.

Edible products, the source of much contention in Vancouver, where 
the city has banned them under its new dispensary permitting process, 
are not exempt under the act.

Dispensary owner and Vancouver marijuana activist Dana Larsen said 
the guidelines don't go far enough and criticized the federal 
government's stance against medical marijuana.

"It's the typical Health Canada response, doing the absolute minimum 
to comply with a court decision," said Larsen.

Larsen said that given the city's rules on marijuana dispensaries are 
already in line with the new Health Canada guidelines, he doesn't 
expect much change in Vancouver.

According to an Insights West poll released this week, 67 per cent of 
British Columbians agree with Vancouver's decisions to regulate 
dispensaries - the first municipal action of its kind in Canada.

The same percentage of respondents also supports legalization of 
marijuana in Canada.

- -with files from The Canadian Press
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom