Medical Marijuana in Canada: The Evolution of Law and Policy, Patterns of Consumption and the Process of Becoming a Medical User

• In Event: The Changing Dynamics of Cannabis: Attitudes, Policy and Medical Uses

Abstract

This paper will describe the changing legal terrain in Canada with respect to the use and distribution of medical marijuana. Effective April 1, 2014 the only legal access to marijuana for medical purposes will be through commercially licensed producers who have fulfilled the terms of the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations. The current authorizations to possess, personal-use production licenses, and designated-person production licences, will expire March 31, 2014.

This paper will essentially have three parts. First, we will describe the early days of this evolution: the steps taken to phase out the current approach by March 31, 2014 and to implement, simultaneously, a new system of free market distribution (with large indoor farms approved by Health Canada and overseen by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police). Second, we will present data from two surveys of several hundred self-described medical users of cannabis in Canada and the United Kingdom, documenting the relevance of the variables of age, gender, nature of disability and patterns of use. Third, we will present findings from in-depth interviews with medical users in British Columbia, describing the varying paths that individuals take in order to become medical users of cannabis.

Authors

• Neil Boyd, Simon Fraser University

• Nicholas Athey, Simon Fraser University

• Elysha Cohen, Simon Fraser University