Health Canada developing new rules for medical pot, minister won’t commit to right to grow beyond August. The federal government will not appeal a Federal Court ruling that upheld patients’ rights to grow their own medical marijuana, Health Minister Jane Philpott announced Friday.
“The government of Canada has decided on the matter of Allard vs. Canada we will not be appealing the court’s decision. We will respect the decision of the Federal Court,” Philpott told reporters after question period.
In February, a Federal Court judge struck down regulations restricting the rights of medical marijuana patients to grow their own cannabis, and gave the Liberal government six months to come up with new rules.
Philpott says the work on new regulations is already underway.
“We are committed, as you know, to make sure Canadians who require marijuana for medical purposes have appropriate access to that. And until such time as the amendments are put in place, the marijuana for medical purposes regulations will remain in effect,” the minister said.
The constitutional challenge was launched by four British Columbia residents who argued the 2013 legislation blocked their access to affordable medicine. One of them was Neil Allard, whose name became the shorthand reference for the case.
Susan Lunn – CBC News – Mar 24, 2016.
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