The Journey

Canadian Medical Cannabis Timeline

  • 1923 – Cannabis added cannabis to the Schedule of the Opium and Narcotic Control Act as a Schedule 2 substance. 
  • The 1960s – Popularity with cannabis grows. The federal government forms Royal Commission, and Le Dain Commission to study its use.  
  • 1972– The commission recommends decriminalizing simple cannabis possession and cultivation for personal purposes. This was overlooked for many years. 
  • 1999 – Two Canadian patients get the Federal OK to smoke cannabis. 
  • 2000 – Court rules Canadians have a constitutional right to use cannabis as a medicine  
  • July 30, 2001 – The government of Canada introduces the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) grant legal access to cannabis to individuals with HIV/AIDS and other illnesses. Authorized patients can grow their cannabis, designate a producer, or from Health Canada.  
  • 2002 – 477 individuals could legally possess Cannabis for medical purposes.  
  • 2012 – 22, 000 individuals could legally possess Cannabis for medical purposes. The demand was higher than anticipated, pushing the government to re-evaluate the program. 
  • June 2013 – The federal government replaces the MMAR regulations. With Marijuana Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR). Shifting to licensed commercial growers for supply and away-from-home growing patients. This is how the Licensed Producer system was developed. The decision to use medical cannabis was solely between you and your health practitioner.  
  • October 31, 2013 -Peace Naturals becomes Canada’s first Licensed Producer. Followed by FINAL BELL, Tweed Inc., Canna Farms, Emerald, and Aurora Cannabis.  
  • 2014 – Patients and producers authorized under the old regulations are required to destroy stocks of cannabis and cannabis seeds.  
  • July 2015 – Supreme Court of Canada found restricting dried flowers only was unconstitutional. They implement a new system called Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes (ACMPR). 
  • 2016 – Licensed producers were provided responsibilities and roles, including the production of other cannabis products such as oil.  
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