Biopharma companies have been racing to develop new, effective ways for cannabis patients to take their medicine, from chewing gum to oral dissolving strips.

Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Inc. reported a failed clinical trial for cannabidiol gel in adult epilepsy, which caused its stock to plummet 58.5 percent this week.

The Zynerba trial found that ZYN002 did not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction of focal seizures during the treatment period.

Armando Anido, chief executive officer of Zynerba, said: “We are very disappointed that the STAR 1 trial did not meet its primary endpoint in this patient population. We are continuing to evaluate this study and the ongoing STAR 2 open label study to determine next steps with ZYN002 in adult epilepsy patients with focal seizures.”

Zynerba uses synthetic CBD for STAR 1 instead of the botanical plant based compound. With two products on the market, the company’s stocks took a hit as a result of the failed trial.

While Zynerba’s clinical trial didn’t perform as they’d hoped, other companies are seeing success in developing cannabinoid medications, especially by diversifying their products.

U.K.-based GW Pharmaceuticals, creators of cannabinoid prescription drug Sativex for multiple sclerosis, saw shares surge 2.9 percent this week.

AXIM Biotech’s product pipeline includes treatments for Crohn’s disease, Restless Legs syndrome, opioid addiction, glaucoma, psoriasis and more.

CURE Pharmaceutical’s CureFilm offers new technology that allows multiple active ingredients in one dosage, and allows for safer, more convenient dosing than traditional medicines. Meanwhile. CURE is also researching how cancer responds to cannabinoids.

Read about four new ways for patients to use medical cannabis.

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Some health conditions require alternatives to using dry, oil, wax, or edible medical cannabis.

Here are four new methods for patients to absorb medical cannabis.

Cannabinoids have demonstrated tremendous potential in treating many medical conditions, ranging from epilepsy to chronic pain. The problem is that many of these conditions rely on cannabinoids passing through the blood-brain barrier, while others require rapid absorption into the bloodstream. Conventional delivery systems are not ideally suited to achieve these goals, which has prompted many companies to develop alternatives.

In this article, we will look at four alternative delivery systems for cannabinoids and why investors may want to consider the companies behind them.

1. Oral Thin Films

Listerine® PocketPack® and other breath strips have become a popular way to kill bad breath germs in less than 30 seconds. It turns out that the same type of technology could help efficiently deliver cannabinoids into the bloodstream without the use of water.

CURE Pharmaceutical Corp. (OTCQB: CURR) is developing an oral thin film technology with faster onset and greater bioavailability than tablets and other conventional delivery systems. Using a micro-encapsulation process, the active ingredients are shielded by phospholipids and liposomes to deliver higher doses with better flavor masking. These active ingredients bypass the gastric system and are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream for maximum effectiveness.

Since they’re simply placed the tongue to dissolve, oral thin films are ideally suited for children and elderly patients that may have trouble swallowing pills. They may also help improve compliance since they don’t require water and have improved flavor masking.

2. Chewing Gum

GlaxoSmithKline’s (NYSE: GSK) Nicorette® chewing gum has become the most popular nicotine replacement therapy in the world. But surprisingly, chewing gum hasn’t been used as a delivery mechanism for many other drugs despite its convenience and benefits.

AXIM Biotechnologies Inc. (OTCQB: AXIM) is developing chewing gum-based cannabinoid therapies targeting a wide range of medical conditions. The company’s most advanced program is CanChew Plus® for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (“IBS”), but it has similar programs targeting multiple sclerosis / pain spasticity, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, restless leg’s syndrome, opioid addiction, tobacco smoking cessation, and other conditions.

In addition to effectively delivering cannabinoids into the blood stream, chewing gum offers a controlled release via cellulose and may improve cerebral circulation, stimulate the basal ganglia, reduce stress, improve memory, and offer neuroprotective benefits.  

3. Lipid Encapsulation

The primary issue with tablets and other swallowed medicine is that they’re subject to so-called first pass metabolism. Compounding this problem, studies have shown that cannabinoids do not tolerate acidic environments like the stomach.

Lexaria Corp. (OTCQB: LXRP) is developing lipid encapsulation technologies designed to protect cannabinoids in acidic environments and maximize absorption. The company’s researchers processed a mixture of hemp oil, black tea, and select lipids to create a cannabinoid-infused tea that has resulted in as much as a 499% increase in intestinal tissue permeability for cannabidiol (“CBD”) over a concentration matched mixture of just CBD and water.

In addition to improved bioavailability, the company’s licensable technology platform has a rapid onset of just 15-20 minutes – compared to 60-120 minutes for conventional therapies – along with the elimination of undesirable tastes. The company has already signed several licensing agreements to commercialize the patented technology around the world. Lexaria is working with the Canadian federal government, through the National Research Council, on further research, development, and commercialization opportunities.

4. Sol-Gel Nasal Delivery

Soft gels have become a popular delivery mechanism since they are easy to administer, familiar to patients, and may contain a variety of different chemicals designed for slow-release and other features that improve the safety and efficacy profile of the active ingredients.

PreveCeutical Medical Inc.’s (CNSX: PREV) Sol-Gel technology encapsulates cannabinoids in a soluble form, while nanomicelles provide tissue permeation enhancing properties. Local tissue irritation is avoided as cannabinoids are in-solution and can be presented at lower doses. At the same time, Sol-Gels can remain in place for extended periods of time, which can reduce the administration times to once or twice weekly rather than daily.

The company has pioneered a novel process for preparing insoluble drug-containing nanomicelles and incorporating them into Sol-Gels in conjunction with the Parekh group at PACE-UQ. The team plans to file a provisional patent application around the single phase Sol-Gels for nasal delivery, which could vastly improve bioavailability relative to other therapeutics that are already on the market.

Looking Ahead

Cannabinoids have tremendous potential in addressing many medical conditions, but there are some unique challenges to their absorption. Fortunately, there are many companies working on improved delivery systems designed to increase bioavailability, reduce the onset time, and improve the taste profile and other convenience factors. Investors may want to take a look at these companies as potential investment opportunities in the space.

This article by Ryan Allway originally appeared on www.cannabisfn.com.

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Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court has allowed a Crohn’s disease patient to sue her former employer for wrongful termination after they fired her for using medical cannabis. The case, Cristina Barbuto vs. Advantage Sales and Marketing, LLC is the first of its kind in the United States, and could raise questions over workplace policies regarding medical cannabis, including pre-employment drug testing practices.

Cristina Barbuto is suing Advantage Sales and Marketing, who fired her from a marketing position in 2014 after she failed a drug test. Barbuto, 35, uses medical cannabis to treat pain and symptoms from Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition. Barbuto had worked one day on the job when she learned she’d been fired, despite informing her employer of her medical cannabis use prior to starting the job. In her recent appeal, Barbuto’s lawyers wrote: “Ms. Barbuto explained to ASM that she did not use marijuana daily and would never consume it before work or at work.”

Barbuto initially filed an anti-discrimination law complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination in 2015, and told Boston Globe: “This is something that needs to change. I don’t want people to fear looking for these types of jobs and be humiliated because of this.” She later withdrew her MCAD complaint to file another complaint with the Superior Court, which dismissed it. Then she appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court.

On July 17, Chief Justice Ralph Gants of the Supreme Judicial Court wrote, “In 2012, Massachusetts voters approved the initiative petition entitled, ‘An Act for the humanitarian medical use of marijuana,’ St. 2012, c. 369 (medical marijuana act or act), whose stated purpose is “that there should be no punishment under state law for qualifying patients . . . for the medical use of marijuana.” . . . We conclude that the plaintiff may seek a remedy through claims of handicap discrimination. . . and therefore reverse the dismissal of the plaintiff’s discrimination claims.”

“We remand the case to the Superior Court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion,” the court found.

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Medical cannabis was legalized in Mexico in June, and U.S. company HempMeds jumped on the news by opening its first office in Monterrey, Mexico.

Medical Marijuana, Inc., parent company of HempMeds Mexico, recently made national news as families went public with dramatic results in treating their children’s life-threatening health conditions with HempMeds’ Real Scientific Hemp Oil (RSHO-X™), which contains no THC.

Now the company is making international news for opening its Monterrey, Mexico office, which will serve as the hub for distribution of RSHO-X™ to Mexican distributors and patients.

Mexico legalized the cultivation, production, and use of cannabis products with less than one percent THC for medical use when President Pena Nieto signed a bill into law on June 19.

Mexico represents a potential $1 to $2 billion cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil market over the next ten years for Medical Marijuana, Inc, part of an anticipated upward global trend for the industry to reach $63.5 billion by 2024. The company plans to invest over three million dollars in scientific research, product development and educative programs for health professionals by 2019.

The new Monterrey HempMeds Mexico office is another history-making chapter in the story of Mexico and San Diego-based Medical Marijuana, Inc.

In 2015, HempMeds product RSHO-X™ was the first cannabis product approved for import by the Mexican federal government. The import was approved after Medical Marijuana, Inc. and nonprofit partner the Por Grace Foundation popularized the story of eight-year-old Grace Elizalde, the first patient in Mexico to legally access and use CBD oil for her epileptic seizures.

Grace’s father Raul Elizalde, who started the Por Grace Foundation, has been appointed president of HempMeds Mexico. Raul joined President Nieto on stage last April as the leader announced the country would pursue medical cannabis reform.

Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Dr. Stuart Titus said in a statement, “We are confident that Raul’s vast experience and diligent work for many years to make the therapeutic use of cannabinoids legal in Mexico will help our company . . .  navigate the country’s new federal laws to provide patients with access to RSHO-X™.”

Forbes, Bloomberg and international press covered the Monterrey office opening. Huffington Post declared Monterrey the Mexican capital of medical cannabis with the article, “Monterrey: de ciudad industrial a meca de la marihuana medicinal,” or “Monterrey: from industrial city to medical marijuana mecca.”

Forbes wrote “5 retos para la venta de marihuana medicinal en México,” or “5 challenges for the sale of medical marijuana in Mexico,” which discusses HempMeds Mexico’s strategy for product development in Mexico.

Titus said, “The extensive coverage that we received from both local and international media is a testament to the worldwide interest in cannabis reform happening in Mexico, and the efforts of HempMeds Mexico to provide products for this rapidly expanding CBD hemp oil market.”

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THC comes to mind when a lot of people talk about cannabis, but CBD is getting quite renowned due to its beneficial effects on the body. As scientific research moves step by step forward every day, it becomes clear that every medical cannabis strain has its own properties. CBD helps the brain in an intricate and pertinent manner. There is no psychoactive effect attached to CBD. This makes it different from THC which has some psychoactive effects. This happens because CB1 receptors are not activated by cannabidiol. The manner by which cannabidiol affects the brain shall be explained further.

It has relevant antipsychotic properties

CBD has antipsychotic effects that are just like the ones for amisulpride. The recent trend is that more and more people prefer CBD due to the fact that it doesn’t have as much side effects as amisulpride. The antipsychotic effects of CBD stem from the effect it has on anandamide that is increased in the brain because of the presence of cannabinoids. A reduction in psychotic related symptoms has been connected to increased levels of anandamide in the brain.

It protects the brain cells from harm in neurodegenerative diseases

Research has indicated that CBD can keep the brain cells away from damage. This reduces the inflammatory response that the immune system produces. Chemokines, cytokines and other inflammatory molecules that are found at the sites of inflammation are then reduced. When various brain injuries from animal models were examined, it was found out that CBD boosted a number of viable brain cells. It also decreased the number of brain cells that were damaged by more than half. This shows that CBD can decrease the injury to the brain caused by traumas. CBD can also block pain signals that are sent to the brain by decreasing inflammation through peripheral means. Ointments that contain CBD reduced sudden pains and inflammation of the joints. Therefore, it is perfect for treating pain caused by arthritis. Chemical compounds of marijuana and marijuana itself are perfect for protecting the cells of the brain from neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other dementia forms.

It helps with depression and anxiety

CBD can prevent compounds like THC from binding to CB1 receptors by interacting with the receptors in a specific manner. CBD can also cure a lot of problems caused by THC like memory problems and anxiety. CBD interacts with a serotonin receptor that relates directly to depression symptoms. It has also been seen that regions that get hyperactive during anxiety disorders can be calmed by CBD. CBD does this by decreasing flow of blood to the areas of the brain like the hypothalamus that are connected with anxiety. The general anxiety scores of those who partook in the study were decreased. CBD can also work as an antidepressant which is unique from its function as an anxiety reducer. For depressed people, CBD can create a balance in the impairment of their endocannabinoid system. In a study, imaging scans were used by researchers to understand the brain regions that are involved with the anti-anxiety effects of CBD. This has created new ways of curing depression. Although conventional medications that use to cure depression have side effects, CBD has none.

It can be used to treat epilepsy

The effect of CBD on epilepsy has created a lot of buzz and has led to huge progress in the cure for epilepsy. CBD can reduce seizures in epilepsy the same way that it can moderate other chemicals found in the brain. CBD can prohibit mechanisms of the brain that contribute to seizures by increasing the release of GABA, the inhibitory neurotransmitter. Charlotte Figi is the most popular case of CBD being used to cure epilepsy.

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Before you pay a visit to any marijuana dispensary, there are some vital things you must know.

You need identification

You can’t access marijuana freely as at now. You must bring authorization papers or medical cannabis ID cards that can help you validate your need for marijuana.

You mustn’t smoke at the dispensary

Marijuana products should not be consumed in any manner at the premises of the dispensary. You will be asked to leave if you are found packing, rolling or smoking. You could be under the surveillance of the police or cameras if you attempt to consume the products outside.

Do not take your own weed there

These dispensaries only sell packaged and labeled marijuana. Loose products on their premises put them at risk of losing their license. It is just like bars where you can’t bring in your own alcohol

Payments are made with cash alone and there is no discount

Dispensaries are not allowed to process debit or credit cards and accept checks. So, all payments must be made in cash. The dispensary might be more expensive than normal street price, but you are getting the legal distribution of the product, production that is controlled and better product quality. You are also paying a lot in tax. Marijuana products are heavily regulated by the government. You should not ask for any discount. One of the requirements for legalization is the tracking of every seed till it is produced and sold. If the seller isn’t accurate with the price or weight, there could be serious consequences.

The privacy of others should be respected

A lot of dispensaries have a ‘no photography’ policy. They do not allow you to use your phone in the dispensary. Even if phones are allowed at the dispensary, taking photos, texting and chatting can be annoying for dispensary employees and fellow customers.

The time of the budtender must be valued

You shouldn’t go in and start telling stories about your day. The budtenders can give you good advice on shatter, concentrates, and edibles. But these budtenders are not ordinary retail clerks. They have good experience and training on everything related to marijuana. They know a lot about their inventory and they can fit all these into finding something that suits your tastes, required high and medical condition. For those who know their marijuana well, they can introduce you to new strains and products. So, you have to respect them and their time.

Before selecting a strain, make your research

The basic fact is that everybody is different and not everyone reacts the same way to various strains. A lot of people prefer to grow their own Indica plants from cannabis seeds for appetite stimulation, pain and sleep while others prefer Sativa for treating depression, boosting creativity and focusing on daytime activities. It is difficult to generalize hybrids because some of them are dominantly made up of Sativa while some others are dominantly made up of Indica. From a technical point of view, all marijuana strains are hybrids because every strain sold at the dispensaries have been mixed with others.

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The question is simple: Where will you be on 4/20 this year? The possibilities are endless. After all, it is the BIGGEST holiday for the cannabis community. However, if you’re a cannabis professional or more specifically, a producer or processor, your answer will most definitely be, “Santa Rosa, CA for CannaCon’s 3-day expo + seminar series”. Being that it’s their debut event in the state, founder Bob Smart and his dedicated team have secured a value-packed lineup of speakers and topics for their upcoming seminar series and 200+ exhibitors showcasing in their expo hall at Santa Rosa CannaCon.

Top 3 Must-Do’s at Santa Rosa CannaCon:

1. Attend at Least 1 of 6 Cannabis Infused Cooking Demos. Start your morning learning the basics of infusions with a cup of cannabis-infused coffee in hand. Take a seat with Chef Jeremy Cooper and indulge in a handful of infused truffle popcorn while learning dosage scaling, flavoring, and masking. Take it easy and learn about crafting a product line of CBD-infused products for consumers looking for non-psychoactive infusions.
2. Grab a Seat for Kevin Jodrey’s Seminar on Genetic Testing, The Future of the Cannabis Supply Chain. Genetic testing is the future of the cannabis supply chain. Strains are more often than not misnamed or renamed, meaning that buyers and consumers never know what they’re getting. How can we resolve this problem? Learn how new testing technology can reintroduce trust and certainty into your products.
3. Bring Your Questions to CannaCon’s Legislative Update Q&A. Confused by current regulations or laws pertaining to your business? Join the panel discussion on California’s legislative landscape and get all your questions answered by vetted experts and professionals.

No plans for the night of 4/20? Celebrate with like-minded cannabis consumers at CannaCon’s Official Mixer Party!

Haven’t Bought Your Ticket Yet? The Details:

When: April 20 -22, 2017
Where: Santa Rosa, CA | Sonoma County Events Center
Tickets: ($40 – $420) Online Pre-registration *Open* Limited-Time Only | Buy Tickets

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The use of cannabis some years ago was exclusively considered a taboo but not anymore, how times fly. Nowadays, more than 94 million citizens of the United States admitted to using marijuana at least once in their lifetime. It is also interesting to see the incredible statistics of the cannabis industry. As more states are legalizing medical marijuana and recreational marijuana sales and usage, I thought about taking a glance at the latest statistics reported in the market. The market keeps growing every day.

In a 2015 survey, a whopping 84% of the American populace supports the legalization of medical marijuana. The sales of legal marijuana increased in the United States by roughly 17% in 2015, resulting in $5.4 billion total sales.

In Colorado, the marijuana plant is readily accepted, there are more marijuana dispensary locations than McDonald’s and Starbucks combined.

At the moment, there are more than 25,000 different products usage of industrial hemp and more being developed every day (Source: usatoday.com). The use of cannabis by medical marijuana patients reached 2,604,079 users in 2016.

The legal sales of medical and recreational marijuana in Colorado reached almost $1 billion in 2015. The tax revenue generated from these sales is more than the revenue collected from the sales of alcohol and a momentous fraction of this income benefits the school system.

15 conditions show significant success in being treated with medical marijuana in clinical trials. This number keeps growing as research continues.

A new economy of cannabis is sprouting. While many traditional business ventures take years to become profitable, almost 90% of dispensaries, recreational marijuana stores, commercial cultivators, and infused products companies report breaking even or making a profit in 2016. The U.S. marijuana industry has created an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 new work positions nationwide.

Studies suggest that getting marijuana legalized in all states would result in about $3.1 billion in tax revenue annually. The cannabis industry is projected to record of $20.2 billion worth of sales by 2021.

As at 2017, the number of deaths resulting from marijuana overdose stands at zero. When compared to almost 18,900 deaths caused by opioid-related overdoses, marijuana retains a stellar safety rating. An impressive 92% of patients on medical marijuana report improvement in their symptoms as a result of medical marijuana use. Nevertheless, 700,000 individuals are arrested on marijuana-related charges every year, and the federal government and state governments spend as much as $17.5 billion annually to prohibit or enforce marijuana prohibition.

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Careers in the legal cannabis business run the gamut of customer service, tourism, research, accounting, marketing and so many other associated fields and positions. With snowballing interest in finding a fruitful career working with cannabis, individuals are seeking out job opportunities that come padded with high wages.

How Can I Find a Job?

Securing any position in the legal cannabis industry can be a tough pursuit–and this is especially true with some of the higher ranking careers out there. The positions listed below are not entry level cannabis jobs for the novice. On the contrary, these six-figure positions require years of experience, advanced degrees and a unique business savvy.

By shedding some light on what opportunities are out there, I hope to contribute to a trend of developing educational resources to strengthen an inclusive cannabis job market. The legal cannabis industry has a lot of potential to bring in local and state revenue through tourism and increased demand for products by creating sustainable careers.

Cannabis Extraction Technicians

One of the most unique, skilled and potentially dangerous jobs in the cannabis industry is that of the cannabis extraction technician. This position maintains important implications for the medical cannabis community, as it contributes to the creation of cannabis concentrates. Concentrates, such as wax, shatter, crumble, oil or “dabs” which offer proportionally higher doses of THC for patients who require a more sustained high.

Technicians essentially take cannabis flower and other plant matter and use methods such as CO2 and Butane to extract cannabinoids like THC, CBD and terpenes to create a wide variety of concentrates including wax, shatter, oil. The job requires the use of dangerous chemicals and fire, making it necessary that technicians have advanced degrees in chemistry and a background in the cannabis industry.

This job is experiencing a boom in appeal alongside a demand for more cannabis products. Given the job’s required experience level and associated danger, technicians average around $100,000 a year in salary.

Cannabis Dispensary Owner

Leading the consumer driven cannabis industry are cannabis dispensary owners. This “brave” position reflects an immense amount of time, effort and money necessary to take a business from the ground floor, into the higher ranks. Dispensary owners must overcome convoluted state and municipal legislation, deal with zoning laws, advertising, staffing and anything else that requires their attention.

Perhaps more than any other six figure cannabis job, dispensary owners have the largest range of income commensurate with revenue brought in by the shop. Successful dispensary owners can surely reach cannabis industry salaries over 100K, but they can also make a fraction of that if their shop struggles to bring in business.

Master Grower

Well, you can’t have cannabis products without cannabis. Master growers lead grow operations big and small in cultivating a successful crop to be harvested, trimmed and cured, before shipping out to cannabis dispensaries.

While growing cannabis can be rewarding, it is incredibly hard work and relies on a number of controlled and uncontrolled variables. Growers lead their team from germination all the way through harvest to ensure plants grow healthily without pests or disease. They must constantly be aware of elements like light, heat, food and water, which requires a keen eye.

Master growers have an extensive background in cannabis growing and usually have degrees in horticulture or agriculture. The success or failure of a crop makes a huge imprint on a business’ bottom line, so it is essential to have a qualified individual leading the growing team. With all this responsibility involved, master growers make salaries over $120,000 dollars per year plus bonuses!

Edibles Chefs

Cannabis edibles chefs use their culinary skills and passion for cannabis to create tasty treats chock full with THC. Though many people desire finding a job that mixes their love of cooking and cannabis together, this is by no means an entry-level pursuit. Chefs follow strict compliance measures and are held to a high standard of following state regulations. In fact, most edibles chefs aren’t even allowed to taste test their products.

For this reason, chefs must be highly qualified culinary experts who are sure in their recipes and cannabinoid concentration. Depending on the size of the operation, edibles chefs can make anywhere from $50,000 to over $100,000.

Are There More Out There?

The benefit of booming industries like the cannabis business is the opportunity for industry-wide growth, which creates more possibilities for high paying jobs. Associated sectors of the cannabis industry like cannabis-based law firms, accountants, security companies and marketing businesses are taking advantage of industry growth by putting all their eggs into the cannabis basket. For many individuals, this leap of faith has brought in major returns.

As the industry continues to develop, increased opportunities to “strike green” will make themselves apparent with more comprehensive cannabis legalization. Be sure to keep an eye out for any current or future opportunities that can help you find your dream cannabis career.

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On November 4th, I had a rather special first-time experience. My wife and I found ourselves garbed in full “clean room” clothing, surrounded by hundreds of flowering cannabis plants. The plants were growing in a high-tech, immaculately clean, almost painfully bright grow room. We were at a production facility operated by Tweed, the largest federally regulated Licensed Producer (LP) of medical cannabis operating in Canada.

Emphasis on “federally regulated.”

Over the last few years, Health Canada (equivalent to the US FDA and NIH) has created a set of rules and protocols for the licensing, regulating, and inspecting of large-scale medical cannabis production. This is a remarkable achievement. While medical cannabis is now legal in many countries, very few regulate it at a national level, and none have taken the Canadian approach.

Hopes appear to be running high for legalization to be right around the corner.

The Netherlands has a national program but only have a single producer (Bedrocan). In contrast, there are currently 26 LPs in Canada, with many hundreds of applications pending. Under the recently defeated Conservative government, the granting of these licenses had been a long, tedious, and often impossible exercise. These delays are likely to significantly diminish under the new Liberal government.

The Liberal party made the full legalization of cannabis a promise in its campaign platform, and further vowed to give the file immediate attention if it won a majority. This has obviously excited many people, and there has been no lack of comments or advice from a number of the high-profile Canadian cannabis activists, such as Marc Emery, Dana Larsen, and others. Hopes appear to be running high for legalization to be right around the corner.

However, often overlooked in all the excitement and rhetoric is the stated motivation by the Liberals for legalization. Their website states:

To ensure that we keep marijuana out of the hands of children, and the profits out of the hands of criminals, we will legalize, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana.

In other words, the principle goal is harm reduction via regulation. And regulation implies bureaucratic control. Lots and lots of bureaucratic control. This will take quite some time to craft, and require consultation with all manner of groups, not the least being the provinces and municipalities who will obviously want a say (and a tax cut) in anything having to do with cannabis sales.

Who will lead the discussions for the Liberal party and what can we expect from them? The obvious candidates are the Ministers of Health (Dr. Jane Philpott), Justice (Jody Wilson-Raybould) and Finance (Bill Morneau). Civilized recently ran an article profiling all three. Some have been quite positive, and none highly negative, on the topic of cannabis legalization. It’s a good start. Still, given the complexity of what is being attempted (a nationally regulated recreational, privately owned, cannabis marketplace) they face a daunting challenge.

This task will be somewhat simplified because the production side of the regulations has already been created, as part of the scope of the MMPR (Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations, the current national medical cannabis program). Currently, there are only 26 LPs. However, there is nothing to stop Health Canada from expediting the license granting process. As the number of producers increase so will supply, which will force the price downwards. So Canadians can feel confident they will not be gouged on price, and will have choices between different products and companies.

Still, distribution of cannabis is not a trivial problem. There are many issues to be resolved: Who may sell it? Where may it be sold? How much should it be taxed? etc. Implementation will be further complicated by the rather unique dispensary situation in Vancouver, British Columbia, which is going through its own regulatory process in trying to manage the 150+ dispensaries and compassion clubs operating within its boundaries. Local police have taken a hands-off approach to these quasi-legal retail outlets which operate in their city and appear willing to follow whatever new guidelines the Liberals create. Nevertheless, one can imagine overlapping areas of conflict between the local and federal regulations.

The various physician associations in Canada have been unhappy about being the “gatekeepers” for giving these prescriptions.

Another important decision facing the Ministers is the issue of personal home growing. Will it be allowed? Many Canadians have expressed concerns about a few “big pot” commercial organizations controlling the marketplace. While this is unlikely to happen, given the large number of producers we will see coming on board over the next few years, the Liberals have yet to articulate their position on this issue. On the surface, there doesn’t appear to be any reasonable way in which they can prevent it, so one can assume that, much like with beer, individual citizens will be allowed to produce it on their own without permission to sell it.

And let’s not forget the possible reactions by the US Federal government. The last time talk of legalization came up here in Canada, there were quite a few people who felt that the strong stance against it by the American government was so powerful that it influenced our decision, and we backed down.

Ironically, the oddest twist in the legalization process will probably be its impact on the current medical cannabis marketplace as well as the various national and provincial medical associations. While there are over 40,000 Canadians who are registered to legally use cannabis, getting a prescription is a long and laborious process. The various physician associations in Canada have been unhappy about being the “gatekeepers” for giving these prescriptions. In some provinces, such as Quebec, the hoops one must jump through to qualify is truly staggering. Of course, under legalization, potential patients will not need to ask their doctor’s permission to use cannabis. They will be able to buy it from a retail outlet. Therefore, if the medical cannabis market in Canada is going to sustain itself, it will have to be able to offer something that the recreational market cannot, such as no tax, lower costs, drug insurance coverage, etc. Working that out is also going to take some time.

While medical cannabis is now legal in many countries, very few regulate it at a national level, and none have taken the Canadian approach.

The good news is that Canadians aren’t going to mind waiting. Canada doesn’t really have an equivalent of the US DEA which seems intent on disregarding their marching orders. For the time being, while Canadian law enforcement will continue to watch for illegal large-scale grow-ops to bust, one can expect them to be fairly laid back in general towards simple possession, currently operating dispensaries, etc.

Given that the cannabis business is a new and exciting area of interest in Canada, those who will be involved in making it a success now have the freedom to make it happen with intelligent planning and fairness in mind. Assuming this all works out Canadians will have good reason to be proud in leading the way for other nations to follow in the march to global cannabis legalization.

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