Cannabis can be classified as a therapeutic drug under the Food and Drugs Act. If a company wishes to market a drug in Canada, there is a process they can go through to apply to do so.
Health Canada would review the evidence that is put forward to verify the product's safety, efficacy, and quality. Part of the process involves presenting results of preclinical and clinical studies that have been conducted either in Canada or overseas and details regarding the production and packaging of the drug, and a number of other aspects.
At this time, cannabis itself, in its dried, fresh, or oil form, has not been authorized as a therapeutic product. No company has brought forward an application or the clinical evidence that would be required. However, I would point out that a number of cannabis-based drugs...there are in fact two that have been approved, have undergone the market authorization process, have received a DIN, and as such are available for sale and would be eligible for reimbursement from plans.