GATINEAU, QC--(Marketwired - August 06, 2015) - Hydropothecary is pleased to announce that is has been fully authorized to produce cannabis oil from medical marijuana. This represents the first such license for a company based in Quebec.
“Hydropothecary is now one of a few licensed producers able to make new, ingestible product lines. The products will be available for purchase following rigorous safety testing and authorization to sell from Health Canada. This oil licence allows the company to move ever closer to producing a true pharmaceutical,” says Sebastien St-Louis, co founder and CEO.
In July, Health Canada announced it will allow licensed medical marijuana producers to produce and ship cannabis oil to patients, in addition to dried product.
“Health Canada’s decision to allow for the production and sale of oils is a major step forward. As a licensed producer, Hydropothecary can now ensure its clients have access to safe, regulated oils,” says Dr. Shane Morris, Hydropothecary’s Vice President of Scientific Affairs and Stakeholder Relations.
“As with our dried product, our oils will continue to set a benchmark for quality and reliability. We are currently investigating the use of unique oil bases and will offer clients custom marijuana oils, based on their preferences.”
Hydropothecary currently offers four dried Time of Day products at $15/gram -- Good Morning, Midday, After Dinner, and Bedtime -- all supported by the most complete and sophisticated “white glove” customer service in the industry. The oil products will mirror the Time of Day line.
About Hydropothecary’s New Cannabis Oil Products
Background:
On July 8, 2015 the Government of Canada announced it would allow licensed producers of medical marijuana to produce and sell cannabis oil under new supplementary licences. This was in direct response to the June 11, 2015 Supreme Court of Canada decision regarding R v. Smith that struck down an element of the federal regulations that limited on access to medical marijuana to only dried forms as unconstitutional.
Hydropothecary applied for the new oil licence in July and has now received permission to produce cannabis oil at their Quebec facility in Gatineau.
Next Steps:
The next step of the oil licensing process requires Health Canada to inspect and approve the cannabis oil for sale. Hydropothecary is aiming to obtain this licence within six weeks depending on Health Canada’s service standards.
What does it mean for patients?
The new oil products to be offered by Hydropothecary will provide patients with new and safer options for use of medical marijuana. Patients, especially children, will now be able to take their prescribed medicines as an easy to consume oil.
Does it mean edible products containing cannabis oil can be sold?
No, only cannabis oils in liquid form can be sold legally in Canada by a federally licenced producer. It remains illegal to sell other edible products containing medical marijuana or derived cannabis oil. However, under recent changes to government regulations, patients are able to ingest the oil in their own home prepared items, such as baked goods.
What else can the cannabis oil be used for?
The ability to produce cannabis oil in Canada an important step that will allow scientific research to more easily take place on new cannabis-based pharmaceutical products to treat certain diseases.
Where else in North America is cannabis oil legal?
Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form. Within the last two years, legislation allowing for limited use of marijuana derived oil (i.e. medical use) has been approved in 14 US states. Four states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use.
About The Hydropothecary
Hydropothecary is a Canadian medical marijuana producer and distributor based in the National Capital Region, with facilities along Rivière des Outaouais in Gatineau, Quebec. Hydropothecary offers around the clock concierge service and guarantees supply to all its customers. With a strong commitment to R&D, Hydropothecary currently has four products, Good Morning, Midday, After Dinner and Bedtime. Prices are $15/g. Hydropothecary is a registered business name of The Hydropothecary Corporation.
Contact Information:
For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Julie Beun
julie@thehydropothecary.com
613 371-9060