Pubdate: Fri, 25 Mar 2016
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Kristy Kirkup
Page: A4

OTTAWA WON'T APPEAL HOMEGROWN POT EDICT

OTTAWA- The federal government will not appeal a Federal Court 
decision that struck down a ban on medicinal marijuana patients 
growing their own pot, Health Minister Jane Philpott said Thursday.

Speaking outside the Commons, Philpott said Ottawa respects the 
decision handed down in February.

The ruling followed a constitutional challenge from four B.C. 
residents against a law passed by the Stephen Harper government, 
which they argued violated their charter rights.

In his decision to strike down the ban, Judge Michael Phelan 
suspended the ruling for six months to allow Ottawa to rewrite the law.

Philpott said Thursday the government will move to address medicinal 
marijuana regulations in response to the concerns of the court.

It intends to have completed this process by August - the time frame 
laid out in the judgment.

"At this point, I am not going to speculate as to what kind of 
regulations will be put in place or how the current regulations will 
be amended, but certainly we will take into respect every 
recommendation of the court decision," Philpott said.

Ottawa will ensure those who require marijuana for medical purposes 
have appropriate access, she added.

"Until such time as the amendments are put in place, the marijuana 
for medical purposes regulations will remain in effect," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom