access to cannabis for medical purposes regulations 134 pages available in english and french cannabis exemption food and drugs act regulations 2 pages available in english and french .. cannabis is listed as a controlled substance under the emcontrolled drugs and substances act em cdsa . the former emmarihuana for medical purposes regulations em mmpr came into force in june 2013 and replaced the previous emmarihuana medical access regulations em mmar . the mmpr created the conditions for a commercial industry that produced and distributed quality-controlled dried marijuana to individuals who have the support of their health care practitioner. in the decision rendered on february 24 2016 in emallard v. canada em the federal court of canada found the mmpr unconstitutional in that they did not provide canadians with reasonable access to marijuana for medical purposes. the em access to cannabis for medical purposes regulations em acmpr respond to the decision in emallard v. canada em by providing individuals with a greater range of options to access cannabis for medical purposes. under the acmpr individuals who need cannabis for medical purposes have three options by which to access cannabis through commercial licensed producers by producing it themselves personal production or by designating someone to produce it for them designated production . the acmpr substantively incorporate the regulatory framework established under the former mmpr for commercial licensed producers and the one established under the former mmar for personal and designated production. while the former mmpr and mmar restricted access to dried marijuana the acmpr allow for the production and possession of cannabis in forms other than dried further to the supreme court of canada decision in emr. v. smith. em while the minister of health issued exemptions under section 56 of the cdsa to respond to the emr. v. smith em decision the relevant exemptions were incorporated into acmpr to more clearly articulate regulatory requirements and simplify the regulatory framework governing cannabis for medical purposes. in addition the emcannabis exemption food and drugs act regulations emwhich replace the emmarihuana exemption food and drugs act regulations em exempt cannabis produced or marijuana imported or exported in accordance with the acmpr from the application of the emfood and drug regulations em fdr . for example cannabis produced and sold in accordance with the acmpr does not have to undergo the market authorization process in canada before it is produced and sold in canada. import export canadas regime has been established as a result of court decisions to meet the needs of eligible individuals in canada by enabling reasonable access to cannabis for medical purposes in a timely manner. the regime is neither intended to make canada an exporter of cannabis nor to enable importation as an alternative to domestic production. as such the framework for import and export established under the previous regulatory framework will continue under the acmpr. those who wish to conduct trade activities with cannabis are subject to the requirements of the acmpr the emnarcotic control regulations em and the emfood and drug regulations em as appropriate.