Pubdate: Mon, 06 Jul 2015 Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Copyright: 2015 The Globe and Mail Company Contact: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168 Author: Neil Belot Page: A10 GOING TO POT Advocates of unregulated marijuana dispensaries argue that these storefront operations are necessary to meet the needs of medical cannabis patients, and that the product they sell is safe. Neither argument is true. Canada's medical cannabis system, operating under Health Canada regulation, works well. Patients can order a range of products from their choice of 19 licensed producers. Legal medical cannabis is quality controlled and inspected, guaranteed not to contain contaminants. Unregulated dispensaries sell cannabis grown illegally, under unknown conditions, and without any of the protections patients require. Municipal governments should understand the importance of supporting the legitimate, regulated market for cannabis as medicine, and not encourage the spread of illegal operations. Neil Belot, executive director, Canadian Medical Cannabis Industry Association, Toronto - --- MAP posted-by: Matt