Court rules medical marijuana patients can grow own pot

A Federal Court judge in Vancouver on Wednesday ruled medical marijuana patients have the constitutional right to grow their own cannabis, striking down a ban introduced by Stephen Harper’s previous Conservative government.

marijuanaThe court suspended its decision for six months to give Ottawa time to respond.

A group of British Columbia residents took Canada to court in 2013, arguing a new law requiring medical marijuana patients to buy their cannabis from licensed producers, instead of growing their own, was unconstitutional.

They said marijuana grown under the government system was too expensive and did not allow them to control the strains and dosages of their treatment.

The government, which overhauled its medical marijuana program in 2013, argued that its mail-order system was safer for both the patient and other Canadians, who could be negatively impacted by unsafe home grow-ops.

In his decision in Allard v. Canada, Federal Court Justice Michael Phelan said that restrictions imposed by the Marihuana for Medical Purposes law were arbitrary.

“The access restrictions did not prove to reduce risk to health and safety or to improve access to marihuana — the purported objectives of the regulation,” he wrote.

The Canadian government must now decide if it will appeal the decision.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged during his election campaign to regulate and legalize recreational marijuana, though his ruling Liberals have not addressed their plans for medical marijuana at length.

Last June, Vancouver city councillors voted to license marijuana dispensaries, which operate outside the current federal framework, becoming the first Canadian city to regulate retailers selling the drug.

Shares of medical marijuana producers plunged on Wednesday after the ruling, with Canopy Growth Co falling 10.79 per cent to $2.81, OrganiGram Holdings dropping 9.88 percent to 73 cents and Aphria Inc down 12.4 percent to $1.13.

Recent articles & video

Parks Canada partnering with Indigenous groups to implement Indigenous systems of law, governance

Canada's Finest Legal Professionals: Celebrate Excellence at the Canadian Law Awards!

Are you keeping up with the dizzying pace of innovation?

Amanda Fowler on how she balances her sports law practice and legal role at Aviva Canada

Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers 2024 - nominations now open

Collaborative project delivery models, legislative reforms, among trends in Quebec construction

Most Read Articles

Canada Revenue Agency announces penalty relief for bare trusts filing late returns

Ontario Court of Appeal upholds spousal support order in 'unusual' divorce case

Ontario Superior Court awards partner share in the estate despite the absence of marriage

Developing an AI oversight system is vital for organizations: Tara Raissi at Beneva