SMITHS FALLS, ON, Nov. 22, 2016 /CNW/ - Canopy Growth
Corporation (TSX:CGC) ("Canopy Growth" or the "Company") is pleased
to provide the following update on the Government's new policy
surrounding veterans insurance coverage, and to provide an overview
of the practices of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Tweed Inc.
(Tweed) and Bedrocan Canada Inc. (Bedrocan Canada) as they relate
to veterans.
Canopy Growth's Current Veterans Program
In light of the findings of the Auditor General's Spring 2016
Report outlining cost increases for medical marijuana veterans
coverage by Veterans Affairs Canada, the recent VICE News reports
alleging unethical or illegal price inflation by two other Licensed
Producers as it relates to prices for insurance-covered veterans,
recent concerns expressed by CFAMM, and today's resulting policy
changes made by the Canadian government, Canopy Growth would like
to make it definitively clear that it does not and has never
engaged in any practice to inflate pricing for veterans.
We do not operate separate websites for veterans. We do
not oblige veterans to purchase higher-priced cannabis
products, while hiding access to lower priced cannabis products. We
do not charge a different price to veterans, and we do
not hide pricing from veterans. Every veteran who registers
with Tweed or Bedrocan Canada receives access to the exact same
products at the exact same pricing as every other customer.
Though we serve hundreds of Canadian veterans, veterans
represent only 2% of Canopy Growth's combined client base of tens
of thousands of Canadians. The Company does not foresee these
policy changes having a material impact on sales or customer
growth. Tweed and Bedrocan Canada attract and retain our veteran
clientele the same way we attract all our other customers: with
quality customer service, and a wide and diverse product
selection. We are proud to serve our veterans and would never
jeopardize the trust our veterans place in us, or attempt to
artificially increase pricing at the expense of the Canadian
taxpayer.
To ensure that Canopy can effectively voice its opinion on this
and other pressing issues facing our sector, our Company has
elected to withdraw its memberships from Cannabis Canada
Association.
New Government Policy on Veterans Coverage
As reported this morning, Veterans Affairs has amended insurance
coverage for veterans, introducing a price limit of $8.50 per gram, while extending coverage to
cannabis oils. While the Government has introduced a limit on the
number of grams it will insure by default, it has also committed to
a process for additional coverage. Our Company will continue to
advocate for fair coverage and trust that additional coverage will
be provided for those veterans with a demonstrated need.
"Cannabis appears to provide significant therapeutic benefit to
thousands of Canadian veterans while potentially reducing the use
of costly and, in some cases, harmful pharmaceuticals," said
Bruce Linton, CEO of Canopy Growth.
"With cost overruns and allegations of unethical price
inflation, it was possible that the Government could have ended all
insurance coverage, so we are pleased that Veterans Affairs will
continue to offer our veterans access to this emerging therapeutic
option, and that coverage has been extended to oils as well."
Tweed and Bedrocan Canada are pleased to immediately commit that
up to the specified daily amount approved, our companies will
ensure full coverage for all of our products regardless of the
price, so that veterans continue to have access to a full range of
products to meet their needs, including cannabis oils. Any
cost differential between our store price and the coverage by
Veterans Affairs will be covered by Tweed and Bedrocan Canada,
respectively, so that we subsidize our veterans and not the other
way around.
About Canopy Growth Corporation
Canopy Growth is a
world-leading diversified cannabis company, offering diverse brands
and curated cannabis strain varieties in dried and oil extract
forms. Through its wholly‑owned subsidiaries, Tweed, Tweed
Farms, and Bedrocan Canada, Canopy Growth operates three
state-of-the-art production facilities with over half a million
square feet of indoor and greenhouse production capacity.
Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector
names in Canada and abroad. For more information
visit www.canopygrowth.com.
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
expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not
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 involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of Canopy Growth Corporation, Tweed
Inc., Tweed Farms Inc. or Bedrocan Canada Inc. to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Examples of
such statements include future operational and production capacity,
the impact of enhanced infrastructure and production capabilities,
and forecasted available product selection. The
forward-looking statements included in this news release are made
as of the date of this news release and Canopy Growth Corp. does
not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking
statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or
otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation.
Neither the TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as
that term is defined in policies of the TSX Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE Canopy Growth Corporation