Nationwide regulations allowing patients to grow and use medicinal marijuana took effect Monday. Canada is the first nation in the world to ratify legislation licensing qualified patients to cultivate and possess medicinal pot.
NORML Executive Director R. Keith Stroup praised the law change, stating that it’s bound to “have a favorable impact on U.S. medical marijuana policy.”
Under the new law, terminally ill patients or those suffering from symptoms associated with a serious medical condition may apply for a federal license allowing them or their designated caregiver to possess up to a 30-day supply of marijuana. Non-terminal patients must possess the recommendation of a general practitioner and a medical specialist certifying that they have found all alternative therapies to be ineffective.
Guidelines for the program are available online from Health Canada.
For more information, please contact either Keith Stroup or Paul Armentano of NORML at (202) 483-5500.
