Pubdate: Mon, 03 Apr 2017
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2017 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: David W. Johnston
Page: A10

MARIJUANA SUPPLY

By Canada Day, 2018, Canadians will have access to legalized marijuana 
(Canadians' Trust In Marijuana Industry Going Up In Smoke: Poll - Report 
on Business, March 29).

The federal government will be responsible for ensuring Canada's
marijuana supply is "safe and secure." It has said it is leaving it to
the provinces to decide how to "distribute" marijuana to the public,
but what about how it gets "distributed" to retailers?

It's time our government gave this question serious consideration,
because getting it wrong could have major consequences.

Pharmaceutical distributors deliver more than 95 per cent of all
medications to hospitals and community pharmacies. That's about four
million deliveries a year to more than 10,000 pharmacies and hospitals
across Canada, and it's done with greater than 99 per cent accuracy.
What that means is that no matter how remote their location, whether
they live in Moose Jaw or Mississauga, Canadians receive their
medication within a day, without question and without having to pay a
premium.

That experience makes pharmaceutical distributors the ideal partner to
ensure legal marijuana gets from producer to retailer in the safest,
most cost-effective way possible. With a national, highly-regulated
distribution infrastructure already in place, it is a turnkey solution
for government that will require minimal oversight.

The federal government should regulate cannabis distribution so we
avoid a patchwork system of regulations across provinces that could
have negative ripple effects for years to come. With legalized
marijuana becoming a reality, now is the time for the government to
get this right.

David W. Johnston, CEO, Canadian Association for Pharmacy Distribution
Management
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MAP posted-by: Matt