Pubdate: Mon, 14 Sep 2015
Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2015 The Lethbridge Herald
Contact:  http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239
Author: Alexandra Posadzki
Page: A10

MARIJUANA INDUSTRY WATCHING FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

Medical marijuana producers are bracing for the possibility that 
Canadians could elect a new government this fall - a change that 
could accelerate the already breakneck pace of growth in the 
burgeoning industry and usher in new players such as tobacco 
companies and pharmacy chains.

"This whole election's very interesting," said Bruce Linton, the CEO 
and chairman of Tweed Marijuana Inc. "When you have a business that 
has the potential to see quite a lot of acceleration because of 
outcomes, you watch it more carefully."

Marijuana became a hot-button issue in the election campaign on 
Thursday, when Joy Davies, a Liberal candidate in British Columbia, 
pulled out of the race because of posts she had made on Facebook 
about marijuana.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau distanced himself from Davies when 
asked about her posts, which included claims that marijuana can cure 
skin cancer and a link to an academic study suggesting pot decreases 
domestic violence.

Trudeau has long promised to legalize and regulate marijuana if 
elected, while NDP leader Tom Mulcair has said his party would 
decriminalize the drug immediately upon forming government.

Khurram Malik, an analyst at Jacob Securities, says the election of 
either the Liberals or the NDP could lead to less red tape for 
licensed medical marijuana producers.

"We have the most anti-weed party in power right now," Malik said. 
"Any other party that wins is a lot more friendly to marijuana than 
this one, so things will get done a little more efficiently and 
openly, so people can actually plan their businesses in a more 
reasonable and logical manner."

The introduction of a recreational marijuana program could bring new 
players such as tobacco and liquor companies into the market, Malik 
added. Currently the industry is too small for the giants to bother 
with, he said.

"Big tobacco never comes in and starts from scratch," said Malik. 
"They always buy something, and then build it into something bigger."

Michael Haines, the CEO of Mettrum Health Corp., says the creation of 
a recreational program - similar to those that exist in Colorado and 
Washington state in the U.S. - could create a dual system. While the 
medical program would likely continue to be federally regulated, 
recreational programs may be regulated at the provincial level, 
similar to alcohol.

However, a recreational marijuana program - similar to those that 
exist in Colorado and Washington state in the U.S. - would take at 
least a year or two to implement, said Malik.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom