Pubdate: Wed, 29 Jan 2014
Source: Petrolia Topic (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 The Petrolia Topic
Contact: http://www.petroliatopic.com/letters
Website: http://www.petroliatopic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5058
Author: Tyler Kula

GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CONCERNS

It'll cost more, but medical marijuana users' privacy won't be 
jeopardized when new rules governing medical marijuana production 
come into effect April 1, Health Canada says.

Petrolia resident Jeff Johnston, 49, recently said he's concerned 
about rising costs and the threat of being targeted by police when 
he's no longer allowed to grow marijuana after Health Canada's 
Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) program takes effect.

Currently, people like Johnston can grow medical marijuana for their 
own use at home, with a licence from Health Canada.

New rules - including replacing Health Canada's own distribution 
system, personal-use and designated-person growing licences, with 
licensed producers - are meant to increase safety and security, the 
government says.

The regulations were developed after an RCMP report last year said 
criminal groups are using the medical marijuana system to obtain and 
distribute the drug.

Johnston, who smokes 4.5 grams a day to treat an inoperable brain 
tumour, said he's concerned he'll no longer be able to afford 
marijuana when it's offered through a licensed distributor.

Seems likely, according to an entry in the Canada Gazette.

"The main economic cost associated with the proposed MMPR would arise 
from the loss to consumers who may have to pay a higher price for 
dried marijuana," the entry reads.

It's expected prices per gram will rise to about $7.60 this year, 
from $1.80-$5, the entry says. A $166.1-million annualized loss to 
consumers is expected for 10 years.

But a reduction in administrative costs, and reduced inefficiencies, 
along with benefits to producers from higher market prices, is also 
expected to net a $149.8-million per year benefit, it says.

Licensed producers are responsible for setting their own prices, a 
Health Canada spokesperson said in an e-mail to the QMI Agency.

The same spokesperson cited a Q&A at www.hc-sc.gc.ca, responding to 
Johnston's concern he'll be targeted by police through personal 
information collected via Health Canada's current medical marijuana 
program after he's no longer licensed to grow marijuana.

The list of licensed production sites under the Marijuana Medical 
Access Program won't be shared with authorities as it's protected 
under the Privacy Act, the site says.

However, a class action lawsuit is being organized against Health 
Canada at www.ccldr.net for breaching privacy when it mass mailed 
program changes to participants in its medical marijuana program last year.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom