Health committee  In terms of medicinal use, we definitely have comments. Health Canada has taken steps over the past six months to a year to allow patients who are authorized to home-grow to submit their products to a lab for testing. Of course, there are issues with affordability. Testing at a lab is difficult for patients, and lots of people are producing at home because of affordability, so it's inaccessible in lots of ways, even though we commend them for taking that step because, before, patients had no testing abilities.

Health committee  I mainly ingest via vaporization as well as some capsules. I find that's the most effective for me. But I definitely would like to try other product forms, including sublingual tinctures and creams for nerve pain. These products aren't available within the system. There was a Supreme Court case which ruled that patients should have access to a diverse range of products.

Health committee  First of all, yes, of course I'm concerned about that. I think it's a different context when we're speaking about medical use and other recreational use. Again, I tried 40 prescription medications. Not one of those medications was ever studied in my condition, no research whatsoever.

Health committee  It's a mixture. During the day I usually use mainly CBD. I'm on cannabis right now. I don't think anyone would think I'm impaired. Most people wouldn't think I have a very severe chronic illness either. I have effective symptom management. I'm not high. I use a bit of THC at night.

Health committee  We'd absolutely love to see a drug identification number application put forward by a drug company, but one of the issues surrounding cannabis and what makes it unique is that it's a plant. It's not a patentable molecule, and that's typically what the therapeutic drug directorate regulates.

Health committee  No, not in terms of the application process, but there are definitely some ongoing small-scale clinical trials by some of the licensed producers. It's not nearly to the degree that we would like to see it. We'd also like to see the $25 million invested in CIHR so they can grant it out, so that it's unbiased research and not necessarily sponsored by drug companies.

Health committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman and the standing committee, for your invitation to appear here today. We will be speaking on behalf of two organizations, Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana, also known as CFAMM, and the Arthritis Society. I am the founder and executive director of CFAMM, a national non-profit organization focused on the needs of medical cannabis patients.