Pubdate: Wed, 26 Mar 2014
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Darrell Bellaart
Page: A3

POT PRODUCER NOT IMPACTED BY COURT CASE

A Nanaimo commercial medical cannabis producer hasn't changed plans,
despite a legal challenge that allows patients to continue growing pot
at home.

Abbotsford lawyer John Conroy launched a Charter of Rights challenge
of Health Canada rules against home-grown pot, citing the same legal
argument that legalized medical marijuana in the courts a decade ago.

There has been speculation the uncertainty of a court challenge might
cause applicants to ditch business plans, or at least sideline their
plans temporarily.

A recent job fair in Nanaimo, put on by U.S.-based Tilray attracted
400 applicants for jobs growing, processing, packaging and shipping a
variety of strains of medical marijuana to patients across Canada.

Tilray, which had planned to hire between 40 and 50 people, is
awaiting a Health Canada licence, and has only hired 12 people to
date. But the company says its business plan isn't affected by the
legal challenge.

"The court injunction doesn't impact Tilray's business plans," said
spokeswoman Suzette Riley. "Tilray is moving ahead with plans to
provide premium locally-grown medicinal cannabis for Canadian patients."

Health Canada originally required licensees to dismantle their grow
operations and destroy any marijuana on hand.

Because privacy rules don't allow Health Canada to disclose the
identity of licensed growers, the city would have had no way to
enforce the requirement.

"We don't have the information," said Randy Churchill, city bylaws
manager.

The injunction means patients licensed on Sept. 30 can grow up to 150
grams of dried marijuana, until the challenge is heard.

Conroy doubts home growers will affect commercial sales.

"There are people who make their own wine and beer, and it doesn't
affect the alcohol market," Conroy said.

He expects the legal challenge to take "the better part of next year."
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MAP posted-by: Matt