Pubdate: Wed, 26 Oct 2016
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Francine Kopun

SHOPPERS DRUG MART APPLIES TO DISTRIBUTE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Move to be licensed producer of cannabis comes as federal government
grapples with legalization

Shoppers Drug Mart confirmed Tuesday it had submitted an application
to become a licensed medical marijuana producer, a move that medical
marijuana producers welcomed.

"On the whole, it's a really good thing because it shows that there is
a level of credibility of the industry that might not have existed
just two or three years ago," said Jordan Sinclair, a spokesperson for
Tweed, a producer of medical marijuana with operations in Smiths Falls, Ont.

"I think when you see a player like Shoppers Drug Mart take notice and
then decide they want to be a part of that industry, it really speaks
volumes to how far cannabis, as a medical option, has come."

Though the drugstore chain announced Tuesday it had applied to become
a licensed medical marijuana producer, it did so to distribute the
drug, according to a spokesperson.

"As we have indicated in the past, we believe that allowing medical
marijuana to be dispensed through a pharmacy would increase access,
safety, quality and security for the thousands of Canadians who use
the drug as part of their medication therapy," according to
spokesperson Tammy Smitham.

"We have no intention of producing medical marijuana, but we do want
the ability to dispense medical marijuana to our patients in
conjunction with counselling from a pharmacist and we are hopeful that
the Government of Canada will embrace that opportunity for enhanced
patient care."

A government task force on marijuana legalization and regulation in
Canada has concluded public hearings and is working on a submission to
the federal government.

Under Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the government has made a
commitment to legalize marijuana, while strictly regulating and
restricting access to the drug.

Currently, patients are only permitted to buy medical marijuana
directly from licensed producers and have the product delivered by
mail.

"I think it's a good thing for the industry overall," said Deepak
Anand, executive director of the Canadian National Medical Marijuana
Association, representing licensed producers.

"I don't think it's a threat to licensed producers and I believe it
opens up access to patients as a whole," he said.

He added that there is room for multiple players in the industry,
especially with the legalization of marijuana for recreational use on
the horizon.

Anand is anticipating new legislation as early as the spring.
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MAP posted-by: Matt