In 2001, Canada's federal government became one of the first to recognize it's citizens' right to use medical cannabis, after a Supreme Court ruling in Ottawa deemed the current restrictions on cannabis access to be unconstitutional. At the time, no provisions were made regarding how patients were to acquire cannabis, but personal growing and designated caregivers were allowed.

This need for medicinal quality, affordable cannabis initiated the formation of  "Compassion Clubs" - cooperative arrangements of patients and growers providing medicine, growing expertise and materials. Some of these centers have attracted world-wide attention because of creative, holistic approaches to wellness afforded to members.

One early example of this innovation in integrative healthcare is the BC Compassion Club, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hillary Black, founder and co-director of the BCCCS, came to our Second National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics in Portland, Oregon in May, 2002. Core values of BCCCS: Compassion; Diversity; Empowerment; Natural Health Care; & Alternative Solutions. Video - Medical Cannabis Providers in Canada - BC Compassion Club Society

The Vancover Island Compassion Society is another stellar example of patient advocacy, even pioneering research into the most suitable "strains" (hybrids) of cannabis for the myriad of conditions which are treated. The executive director of VICS is Philippe Lucas, also on the board of advisers at Patients Out of Time, and a regular speaker at our clinical conferences. Here is his presentation to our May, 2004 conference held in Charlottesville, VA. Video - Medical Cannabis in British Columbia, by Philippe Lucas