Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jun 2015
Source: Sun Times, The (Owen Sound, CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Owen Sound Sun Times
Contact: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/letters
Website: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1544
Author: Denis Langlois
Page: A1
Referenced: Supreme Court Judgment (R. v. Smith): 
http://mapinc.org/url/d2dzMbjW

RULING BOOSTS POT COMPANY'S PLAN

Supreme Court Says Medical Marijuana Can Be Supplied in Many Forms

The head of the company that plans to develop cannabis-based oils, 
creams and capsules in Owen Sound is applauding a Supreme Court of 
Canada decision that expands the definition of legal medical marijuana.

"We're excited. It plays right into our opportunity because we had 
always wanted to focus on oils and derivatives and concentrates and 
so forth," Scott Boyes, president of the Toronto-based Canadian 
Bioceutical Corporation, said Thursday in an interview.

After the ruling came down, Boyes said he and others from the 
company, which is awaiting Health Canada approval to become a 
licenced medical marijuana producer, immediately hopped on a plane to 
check out manufacturing facilities in Seattle, Wash., that produce 
similar marijuana-infused products.

"Just to make sure our plans are up to speed," he said, adding, "I 
think ours is going to be more advanced than theirs."

The Supreme Court ruled against the federal Conservative government 
June 11 by saying restricting patients to only dried marijuana 
"limits liberty and security of the person in a manner that is 
arbitrary" and is "not in accord with the principles of fundamental justice."

Approved patients can now consume or use medical marijuana in all forms.

Licensed medical marijuana producers say they are now waiting on the 
federal government to determine how the ruling will impact them.

Boyes said it will be up to Health Canada to decide on regulations 
for approved producers to follow when it comes to creating alternate 
cannabinoid-based products.

But he said he is "very confident" his company will be able to meet 
or exceed any requirements.

He said he is not surprised by the Supreme Court's decision, which 
has outraged the federal government.

He said smoking medical pot is "probably the most unpalatable and 
unhealthy way of using cannabis as a medical treatment."

Ottawa's position was irrational, he said.

Federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose said marijuana has never gone 
through Health Canada's regulatory approval process, which includes 
safety reviews and clinical trials. BioCannabis Products Ltd., a 
subsidiary of the Canadian Bioceutical Corporation, submitted an 
application to Health Canada in January to become a licenced producer 
under federal Marijuana for Medical Purposes regulations.

It plans to operate its facility inside the remaining 
155,000-square-foot section of the former PPG plant. In full 
operation, the company expects it will employ up to 100 people.

Work is well underway to retrofit the building, Boyes said. The 
investment is expected to cost around $13 million.

Boyes said the company's application to Health Canada is in the 
"advanced screening" stage.

He said the company has "no control" over when Health Canada will 
grant its licence, noting the agency has approved only one this year.

The company announced this week it has signed a conditional agreement 
with Roto-Gro International Ltd. to acquire no less than 60 advanced 
Model 420 Roto-Grow hydroponic systems "specially adapted for the 
commercial production of medical cannabis."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom