The Canadian authorized licensed producer of medicinal marijuana application process under Health Canada's Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations ("ACMPR") is extremely long and complicated. If the process was swift and simple, then there would be way more than the 40 currently authorized LP's! With seven steps to the application from start to finish, the beginning sets the framework for the remainder of the process.

If you haven't checked it out already, our article briefing readers on the seven steps of the ACMPR application is a worthwhile first read for getting a handle on the process.

As mentioned in the overview article, before the Initiation of Security Clearance Process begins, applicants must have already successfully submitted their application, made it through the preliminary screening round as well as the enhanced screening phase. After all this is complete, applicants are ready for step 4.

As mentioned on the Health Canada website, "an application can be refused at any stage of the process." This makes it imperative that applicants put fourth an application with the highest possible level of detail and truthfulness. Vague or misleading applications are a red flag for sure.

At this point in the process, it will be time for Health Canada to process forms for security clearance from "key personnel." Key personnel according to Health Canada include:

• Proposed senior person in charge

• Proposed responsible person in charge

• Proposed alternate responsible person(s) in charge

• If a producer's licence is issued to an individual, that individual

• If a producer's licence is issued to a corporation:

  •  each officer of the corporation

  •  each director of the corporation

Once complete, applicants are getting very close to the end of the process. As mentioned above, it's extremely important to make sure that all personnel's forms are filled out thoroughly and accurately. With the 5th stage of the application process being the Review stage, there's no reason to leave approval to chance. Misleading, dishonest, or non-verifiable information on any of the forms will result in a red light. 

This highly complex set of regulations governs the licensed producers of medical marijuana that we often cover on-site such as Supreme Pharmaceuticals, Canopy Growth and previously mentioned Invictus MD, to name a few. ​Check back soon, as we'll be increasing our coverage of topics related to the ACMPR landscape. If you are interested in learning more about any of the Canadian licensed producers, be sure to check out the companies' stock profiles in our comprehensive marijuana stocks database. 

Now read about the Licensed Producer applicant getting ready for Stage 6 of the process