Pubdate: Thu, 23 Apr 2015
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Dani-elle Dube
Page: 9

FORMER TOP PUBLIC SERVANT SMOKES OUT LOCAL OPPORTUNITY

A former senior manager at Health Canada's Medical Marijuana Program
has been named CEO of a private medical marijuana education centre
opening two Ottawa locations in the coming months.

Gulwant Bajwawas announced as the new CEO for National Access Cannabis
(NAC), a private company helping clients obtain medical marijuana
legally on Wednesday.

"I knew nothing of this plant (when I was younger)," said Bajwa."But I
was fortunate enough that I had an opportunity to work at Health
Canada's medical marijuana program in 2010 and that's when I saw the
positive effects this plant has as a medicine."

Bajwa had previously worked in the bureau for medical cannabis at
Health Canada. He was responsible for overseeing two divisions, one
being a licensing division issuing patients their authorization to
possess documents.

But when the first medical marijuana program ended in 2014 and later
transformed into another program, his time with Health Canada ended.

Bajwa insists his previous work won't be a conflict of interest
because he will not directly deal with Health Canada.

For Colin Tretheway, spokesman for the NAC, Bajwa's expertise will
offer the NAC a great advantage.

"Mr. Bajwa brings unparalleled industry knowledge to NAC," said
Tretheway."Bajwa understands how the system works at every level. His
background makes him a firm believer in medical marijuana's positive
impact on patients."

The NAC, a centre providing education and physician services,
announced they'll be opening two centres by the spring: One at 1111
Wellington St. west by June and a second location which has not yet
been determined.

The centre doesn't dispense medical marijuana, but rather provides the
means to its clients on how to access it legally through Health Canada.

The support centre is not associated with any government body. The NAC
generates profit through its initial membership fees of $90, then $49
per year for renewals and $150 fees for their physician services.

And although the NAC is still fairly new and growing, the demand is
high and the company is confident it's here to stay.
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MAP posted-by: Matt