CAMCD’s Provincial Submission On Legalization
Submission Of The Canadian Association Of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries To The BC Cannabis Legalization And Regulation Secretariat November 1, 2017 A “Made In BC” Solution for Cannabis Regulation Established in 2010, the Canadian Association of Medical Dispensaries (CAMCD), is a non-profit, trade organization representing over 60 medical cannabis dispensaries in Canada. Member dispensaries provide […]
The Cannabis Act Submission To The Standing Committee On Public Health
The Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries issued its official response to the Standing Committee on Public Health regarding Bill C-45 also known as “the Cannabis Act”.
Transitioning Canada’s Cannabis Industry.Brief
While there are many issues to discuss with government regarding the Cannabis Act, CAMCD felt that the priority must be to ensure that storefront dispensaries are included in the new regulated regime to ensure no adverse impact to public health (continuity of access) and to the thousands of jobs currently maintained within the cannabis economy. Without inclusion in the new regulated environment there CAMCD feels there is no point in addressing other subjects related to distribution.
Lobbying by special interest groups intended to discredit dispensary services and ban them from the future regulated cannabis distribution economy has been ongoing for some time now. CAMCD hopes that submissions like these can help educate lawmakers and public policy groups and provide them with an evidence based approach to why existing dispensaries should have a place in the new regulatory framework.
Cannabis Dispensaries to Set Up Their Own Testing System
Blocked from the federal medical marijuana testing system, dispensaries are creating their own
VANCOUVER— The Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries (CAMCD) is moving to set up testing standards and protocols to ensure the safety of the cannabis member dispensaries are selling.
Association President Jeremy Jacob says, “We believe consumers should be empowered to make educated choices about the cannabis products they buy, so we are moving to set up a rigorous, independent and transparent cannabis testing system.”
CAMCD promotes a regulated community-based approach to cannabis access with member dispensaries across Canada serving over 150,000 consumers.
Store front cannabis dispensaries are not allowed to test their product through federally licensed laboratories. Jacob says CAMCD is setting up its own testing standards after federally licensed medical marijuana producers recalled cannabis contaminated with the chemicals bifenazate and myclobutanil in November and December 2016, and were slow to inform the public.
“Dispensary clients need to know the product is free of contaminants. Consumers should be able to see testing results,” says Jacob. “Some of our member dispensaries are already testing their product privately, but we need a system where all are able to test their product, the labs are independent, and the consumer can rely on the results.”
The CAMCD board has created a working group with dispensary owners, cannabis producers, processors, and lab owners, to create guidelines and structure for the testing program. The board wants the system to be in place by May 2017.
Association President Jeremy Jacob will be available for questions today at 4:30 PST
Media Contact:
Jeremy Jacob (604) 317-5759
CAMCD Response To Task Force Report: Cannabis Legalization
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 13, 2016
CANADIAN Dispensary Advocates Reply To Task Force Report
Today the Federal Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation released their full report (A Framework for the Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis in Canada). The Task Force consulted with the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries (CAMCD) to gain an understanding of how Canadian dispensaries serve public needs and the importance of a community dispensing model. CAMCD’s Position Paper on Legalization was also submitted to the Task Force to encourage inclusion of dedicated storefront retail sales. 
“Today we applaud the Task Force for the acknowledgement of dedicated retail dispensaries as a viable distribution channel separate from alcohol sales. This should apply to medical use as well as recreational use,” said CAMCD’s President, Jeremy Jacob. CAMCD represents dispensaries across Canada committed to best practices and working with all levels of government to incorporate dispensaries into the legal regulatory frameworks meeting patient and other consumer needs.
Dispensaries have existed in Canada for 20 years; serving patients, creating safe community access, sharing knowledge and expertise, contributing to research, and providing thousands of jobs. According to Jacob, “Dispensaries have paved the way for legalization through their hard work and dedication and are looking forward to participating in a legal, regulated marketplace they helped create.”
CAMCD is also pleased to hear the Task Force’s recommendation for an inclusive network of producers of all sizes, particularly the craft producers who form an important part of the cannabis supply chain today. “Including as many suppliers as possible is the best way to undermine the black market and ensure a vast diversity of quality products for the consumer”, stated Jacob.
Jacob is cautious, however, about the Task Force recommendation for a provincial wholesale monopoly. “If we have learned anything from provincial alcohol distribution it’s that government monopolies are a sure way to increase prices and limit product variety. CAMCD does not believe government wholesaling of cannabis is a viable course for legalization,” stated Jacob.
CAMCD looks forward to working with the provincial government on regulations for dedicated retail sales. “We encourage the provincial governments to review CAMCD’s Dispensary Certification Standards as a model for provincial regulation of retail dispensing and welcome further collaboration with them to this end. CAMCD also looks forward to working with provincial governments across Canada to establish comprehensive training programs for retail cannabis workers.”
For media inquiries contact:
Ehren Richardson
(604) 318-5152
Jeremy Jacob
(778) 378-6008
