Pubdate: Thu, 29 Sep 2016
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2016 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Grant Robertson
Page: A3

POT PRODUCER SOUGHT FUNGICIDE APPROVAL

Tilray says it wanted to use controversial product in belief it was
being employed at non-licensed operations, but later halted its bid

One of Canada's largest medical marijuana producers, which raised
concerns with Health Canada over harmful chemicals found in cannabis
sold at Vancouver dispensaries, sought permission to use a
controversial fungicide on its own crops last year, but says it later
abandoned the idea.

According to the British Columbia Lobbyists Registry, Tilray asked for
British Columbia's support in getting federal approval to use Nova
40W, a fungicide that contains myclobutanil - a chemical effective at
controlling crop diseases, but one that has been at the centre of
controversy. It is banned by several U.S. states for use on cannabis
because of concerns it emits hydrogen cyanide when heated.

Tilray said it sought to use the product in the belief that it was
being employed by non-licensed marijuana grow operations to control a
fungal disease known as powdery mildew. The company didn't say how it
knew the product was being used by those operations, but Tilray
spokesman Zack Hutson said the bid was halted after Health Canada
subsequently issued a list of alternative fungicides that the company
now uses.

"Tilray contacted the B.C. government on March 19, 2015, to inquire
about the process for initiating an application to obtain approval for
the use of Nova 40W on cannabis," Mr. Hutson said in a statement
Wednesday. "We stopped lobbying on the issue a few weeks later, after
we found existing Health Canada approved organic solutions that have
already undergone [federal testing]."

The revelation is one of several events in recent months that
illustrate the need for scrutiny of the burgeoning big-money cannabis
industry, as the government intends to legalize the drug for
recreational use next year, to ensure consumers are protected from
harmful chemicals, bacteria and other contaminants.

In July, The Globe published the results of an investigation that
discovered one-third of nine cannabis samples obtained from Toronto
storefront dispensaries, which operate with no federal oversight,
contained potentially harmful bacteria that could have serious effects
on elderly patients or those with compromised immunity. One sample
contained mould that can lead to serious lung conditions in patients.

Last week, documents obtained through the Access to Information Act
showed Health Canada was warned nearly a year ago about harmful
chemicals showing up in marijuana sold at storefront dispensaries in
Vancouver. Lab results submitted to Health Minister Jane Philpott's
office showed 13 of 22 samples tested showed high levels of carbamate,
which is not approved for cannabis, or dodemorph, a chemical that is
not approved for human consumption. Health Canada later revealed those
test results were submitted by Tilray.

Despite evidence of a potential public health threat, Health Canada
did not act on the warnings, nor inform local authorities in
Vancouver. Health Canada said it considers dispensaries to be illegal,
and therefore not its responsibility. However, those same dispensaries
have flourished across Canada this year as a direct result of the
federal government's announcement that it will legalize the drug.
Ottawa has not addressed their growth, saying it is up to local police
to address the issue.

After initially telling The Globe that she couldn't recall if she'd
seen the documents, the Health Minister issued a statement on Friday
confirming the results were sent to her office.

It is unlikely Tilray would have received federal approval to use Nova
40W if it had proceeded with the request. Such requests must be
submitted by the manufacturer of the chemical, Dow AgroSciences, and
tests must be conducted to ensure it can be used safely on a
particular crop, which takes up to two years.

Nova 40W is similar to Eagle 20, which sparked controversy in the
United States when it was discovered to be widely used on cannabis.
Both contain myclobutanil, which is approved in small doses for some
crops that are eaten, such as berries, since it is metabolized by the
digestive system. However, it is thought to be potentially dangerous
on products that are consumed in other ways. Lawmakers in Colorado,
Washington and Oregon, which have legalized cannabis for medical or
recreational use, moved quickly to ban the use of myclobutanil as a
result.

In Canada, there are questions as to how much scrutiny is being
exercised in this new industry. Health Canada says myclobutanil is not
permitted, but The Globe's investigation found that not all labs
enlisted to test cannabis bother to check for the chemical, or are
calibrated to detect its presence, indicating a blind spot in the
safety testing regime. Though dispensaries are not held to any federal
standards, Health Canada said if a licensed medical marijuana producer
were found to be using such chemicals, it would take action.
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MAP posted-by: Matt