Pubdate: Sat, 22 Apr 2017
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Katie DeRosa
Page: B1
Referenced: Cannabis Act: http://mapinc.org/url/Kd46SXou

DISTRIBUTION FOR LOCAL POT GROWERS STILL ON FOGGY SIDE

Even with last week's tabling of the marijuana legalization bill, it's
still unclear what the distribution system will look like, says Shawn
Galbraith of Evergreen Medicinal Supply Inc. His company recently
received approval from Health Canada to be a licensed producer of
medical cannabis.

"Basically, as far as distribution, it's up to each province to decide
how they want to distribute it and tax it, so there's a whole bunch of
different models being floated out there right now," Galbraith said.

Currently, licensed producers distribute cannabis to medical patients
through the mail. However, many recreational users buy marijuana from
store-front dispensaries, which the City of Victoria has moved to regulate.

Galbraith said it's unclear how many of these dispensaries will
continue to operate once the federal regulatory scheme takes effect.
"There are some that play by the rules and those people will probably
get a chance, but those who didn't play by the rules will have their
application scrutinized very closely."

His medical marijuana facility, a windowless concrete cube next to the
Patricia Bay Highway near Lochside Drive, received initial approval
from Health Canada in February 2014. But it wasn't until July 2016
that the necessary on-site inspection was conducted, which led to
final approval last month.

Galbraith said during a recent conference call, all 43 licensed
medical marijuana producers had a chance to voice questions and
concerns to Health Canada officials. One of the most pressing
questions was whether the federal government was going to create an
additional licensing program for recreational marijuana, he said.

Health Canada said there are no plans to have a separate system, which
means licensed producers will create the supply. "It means the
existing licensed producers and others in the pipeline will be the
first considered for production in the recreational field which is
good news for us," he said. "We've invested in this legitimate form of
production, so we'd like to be rewarded for our efforts."

Galbraith suspects as the black market is replaced by a legal one, it
will take several years before marijuana producers are able to supply
enough product to meet demand.

David Johnston, CEO of the Canadian Association for Pharmacy
Distribution Management, said the association wants to work with the
federal and provincial governments to ensure the association has a
role in distributing marijuana safely and efficiently from licensed
producers to retailers. "We're saying when it comes to the
distribution of pharmaceutical products, cannabis is still a drug and
we are a natural partner ready to go," Johnston said.

The marijuana legalization bill, introduced by the federal government
last week, set out a host of proposed rules, including: sales to be
restricted to people age 18 and older, although provinces would have
the jurisdiction to increase their own minimum age; adults would be
allowed to possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or its equivalent
in non-dried form; and sales by mail or courier through a federally
licensed producer would be allowed in provinces that lack a regulated
retail system. Adults would be allowed to grow up to four cannabis
plants, no larger than one metre in height, for each residence.
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MAP posted-by: Matt