History of the Medical Cannabis Program
Legal access to dried cannabis for medical purposes, in Canada, was first provided in 1999 using section 56 exemptions under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).
The Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) was then implemented in 2001. The MMAR enabled individuals with the support of their health care practitioner to access dried cannabis for medical purposes by producing their own cannabis plants, designating someone to produce for them or purchasing from Health Canada’s supply.
In June 2013, the Government of Canada ended the MMAR program and implemented the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR). Under the MMPR, individuals with a medical need could access dried cannabis only produced by Health Canada licensed producers. The ability to grow their own cannabis was taken away.
In August 2016, the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) was launched as Canada’s response to the Federal Court of Canada’s February 2016 judgement that found the MMPR did not provide reasonable access. The ACMPR was designed to provide an immediate solution required to address the Court judgement and allow individuals the right to grow their own cannabis again.
As of October 2018 the new Cannabis Act came into force. Since that date, new regulations have replaced the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). Under the new regulations individuals continue to be able to register with Health Canada to produce their own cannabis or designate someone to produce it for them or buy directly from a federally licensed seller.