What New Recreational Cannabis Laws Mean to the Canadian Medical Marijuana Market

Recreational cannabis is finally legal in Canada. But what does that mean for the country’s medical marijuana licensing system, which has been on the books since the turn of the 21^st century?

First of all, it’s important to note that the beginning of the recreational cannabis market does not mean the end for the medical market. But there will be a few changes.

The bottom line is that medical marijuana patients need separate considerations from the recreational market, says Dr. Michael Verbora, writing on the Aleafia Health website.

Under the previous rules, medical marijuana users required a medical document from a healthcare professional and then had to establish a relationship with one of Canada’s licensed producers. That won’t change, says Verbora, adding that authorizations for medical marijuana patients will still be important. That’s because patients often need specific doses and are authorized to carry specific amounts.

The new regulations remove personal storage limits for cannabis patients, according to the Health Canada website. Like any adult Canadian, they can store as much cannabis as they want at home. However, public possession limits remain the same for authorized patients who are registered with a federally licensed seller or with Health Canada. Those authorized to access cannabis for medical purposes must be prepared to show they are legally allowed to possess more than 30 grams (or equivalent) in public, if requested by law enforcement.

The opening of the legal recreational cannabis market means adults over the age of 18 can now purchase cannabis at government-operated stores or websites.

But Verbora says a licensed producer is still the best source for patients, as they cater more to the medical market. “This is important in terms of the strain and quality of the cannabis, ensuring patients have access to what they need. A licensed producer will give patients access to a larger range of products, some of which may not be accessible at a recreational store,” Verbora says.

The quality of the product is of key interest to newcomers to the sector, such as PharmaCielo Ltd., a Canadian-based company with operations in Colombia that is looking to become a leading supplier of naturally grown and processed, standardized medicinal-grade cannabis oil extracts. Led by executive Anthony Wile, PharmaCielo choose Colombia due to its outstanding climatic conditions, as well as its clear and legal framework for medical cannabis licensing.

One other important consideration is insurance. While recreational cannabis won’t be covered, it seems likely that more private insurers will offer coverage for medical marijuana. For instance, earlier this year, Sun Life said it would cover cannabis patients with certain conditions under a group benefits plan. Some other companies have followed suit, including Markers Financial, the parents company of Evergreen Pacific Insurance. In addition, Manulife Financial is partnering with Shoppers Drug Mart to offer enhanced medical marijuana insurance coverage.

With THC and CBD becoming increasingly important to the medical community as treatments for numerous physical and mental ailments, it appears medical cannabis will become even more popular with patients. Combined with recreational sales, the future of Canada’s cannabis market looks bright.