In our Winter 2013/2014 and Autumn 2014 newsletters we reported:
- The Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) were replaced by a new system called the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR).
- The new MMPR came into effect in June 2013 but some of the old MMAR provisions were still the law until March 31, 2014 (some authorizations and licenses have been extended – see below).
- There is a lawsuit that is challenging the new MMPR.
In March 2014, the Federal Court of Canada made an interim order in the lawsuit. This interim order meant that most people who had valid MMAR licences to use and/or grow medical marijuana could continue to use their licences until a decision is made in the lawsuit (see HALCO news Autumn 2014 newsletter, page 13).
The federal government appealed the interim order. On December 15, 2014, the Appeal Court upheld the interim order. The Appeal Court decision means that most people who had valid MMAR licences to use and/or grow medical marijuana canstill continue to use their licences until a decision is made in the lawsuit.
The actual lawsuit against the MMPR will be heard by the Federal Court in February 2015.
For more information about the lawsuit, or to keep updated, you can visit the website of the law firm that is handling the lawsuit: http://johnconroy.com/mmar.htm.
If you are living with HIV in Ontario, please contact us for free legal advice.