SMITHS FALLS, ON, Feb. 24, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Today the Federal
Court released its decision in the case of Allard et al v.
Canada. This case began as a result of the government's
decision to repeal the Marihuana Medical Access
Regulations ("MMAR") and enact
the Marihuana for Medical Purposes
Regulations ("MMPR"). This change overhauled the
way that the government provides access to medical cannabis for
patients across the country. The plaintiffs in the Allard case
argued that the MMPR violates their Charter rights
and the court, in a lengthy and detailed judgment, agreed with the
plaintiffs and gave the government six months to amend the MMPR.
The following Q&A provides guidance on Tweed and Bedrocan
Canada's position on the ruling.
What is the initial reaction to the decision?
At Tweed and Bedrocan Canada, as is the case for all companies
operating in regulated industries, we don't write the rules.
This ruling will compel the government to act and we will
wait to see what the government's response is going to be. That
response could range from introducing rules allowing patients to
grow at home, to ensuring easier access to the MMPR, to providing
insurance coverage for medical cannabis.
Canadian courts have recognized again and again that people have
a right to medical marijuana and this was reaffirmed again today.
This is good news.
However, the court was clear that this is not an attack on the
substance of the MMPR. Rather, the MMPR in its current form
does not provide sufficient access to cannabis for those who need
it. Increased ease of access to medical cannabis for those
that need it is welcome.
In the broader context of the cannabis policy discussion already
underway, this only reaffirms the need for the government to move
quickly to establish a framework for both medical and non-medical
cannabis that serves all Canadians.
What does this mean for Licensed Producers (LPs)?
For Tweed and Bedrocan Canada it means business as
usual.
The MMPR continues while the government determines how best to
address the concerns of the court and amend the rules to ensure
that patients have the access to cannabis that they need.
LPs like Tweed and Bedrocan Canada offer people a convenient
option and a product of unrivalled quality at exceptionally
affordable pricing compared to the illicit market. Even under the
injunction, many people that grew their own cannabis under the MMAR
have chosen Tweed, Bedrocan Canada and other LPs because it is
simple, affordable, and safe.
It took only two and a half years for the size of the MMPR to
rival the size of the MMAR in terms of patients, and that speaks to
the positives of the system.
Six months to decide, what does that mean?
It's hard to say. The government could choose to appeal the
decision of the Federal Court. If it doesn't appeal, it could
mean that the response is legislative and the government introduces
more fulsome legislation addressing legalization, increased access,
and even creating a home-grow provision under a legal medical and
non-medical framework. Insurance coverage or assistance for those
who can't afford their medical cannabis may also be
solutions.
Tweed and Bedrocan Canada have been working very hard to improve
affordability for patients and will continue to do so over the
coming months and years.
Do you support home growers?
Tweed and Bedrocan Canada support all legal means of producing
medication. However, illegal sales of uncontrolled, unregulated
cannabis are a serious concern. The decision today does not change
the fact that access to cannabis must be done in a manner
consistent with public health and safety objectives.
Are you still registering patients?
Of course. Today's ruling in no way changes the ability of
medical professionals to continue to prescribe medical cannabis to
patients in need. Tweed and Bedrocan Canada have been welcoming
hundreds of new customers each week and will continue to do so,
offering a wide variety of affordable, high quality products for
Canadians from coast to coast.
Here's to Future Growth (Still).
Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Often,
but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the
use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is
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anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases
or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could",
"would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward-looking statements, including but not limited to those
relating to the recent federal court decision, the possibility of
further litigation including appeals by the federal government or
other parties, potential amendments to existing medical marijuana
legislation, the potential adoption of new legislation for
medical and/or recreational marijuana, other potential regulatory
or policy responses, potential changes to the competitive landscape
in the industry, and the anticipated timing and impact of any of
the foregoing, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance
or achievements of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to be
materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements. Although Canopy Growth Corporation has attempted to
identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events
or results to differ materially from those described in
forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause
actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or
intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. The factors identified above are not
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an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to
reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless
required by applicable securities legislation.
SOURCE Canopy Growth Corporation