Proposed rules unveiled by Canadas Health Minister Allan Rock create three categories of patients who satisfy "clear criteria" for government approval to grow, buy, and possess marijuana. Category I includes the terminally ill with a life expectancy of less than 12 months; category II includes those diagnosed with "serious medical conditions," and category III covers those with symptoms associated with all "other" medical conditions.
For those in the first two categories, Canada would allow marijuana to be used for symptoms such as nausea, chronic pain, and depressed appetite associated with cancer, AIDS, and other serious illnesses when conventional treatments have had little or no effect. The third category would include those who have tried standard therapies for their symptoms but are convinced that only marijuana can provide adequate relief.
The new regulations would expand and better formalize an existing Health Canada policy that has allowed 220 patients, evaluated on a case-by-case basis, to use marijuana under tightly controlled conditions since 1999.
The regulations would also eliminate standard limits on the quantity patients are authorized to possess and instead allow varying quantities based on physician recommendations, institute a simple annual authorization renewal process, and allow third parties to provide "assistance" in procuring marijuana for authorized patients.
Patients can choose to grow marijuana themselves or transfer their "production license" to a third party. Each license would stipulate the number of indoor and outdoor plants that could be grown as well as authorize possession, transportation, storage, and receipt of both seeds and plants. Up to three licenses to produce would be permitted at a single address with on-site inspections and criminal record checks for designated producers.
The proposed regulations will undergo a month-long "consultation period" during which Canadian federal officials are soliciting input from those patients currently granted authorizations as well as professional organizations, patient advocacy groups, and other interested parties. The rules are scheduled to take effect on or before July 31.
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