Lift Cannabis Spring 2016

YOG CAN A & NAB YES! IS?

Cannabis Magazine SPRING 2016

THE FUTURE OF CANNABIS IN CANADA Page 14

MOUTH WATERING RECIPES Page 24

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR AND MUCH MORE

CANNABIS IN CANADA

ONE VETERAN’S STORY

CANNABIS OIL: CAN IT HELP?

DEALING WITH CHRONIC PAIN

Have you been diagnosed with PTSD or chronic pain with negative side-effects from synthetic pharmaceutical medications and little to no results?

Marijuana For Trauma Inc. was created to assist with individuals accessing medicinal cannabis; proven to be an effective and non-toxic therapy for symptoms of PTSD and chronic pain.

Did you know - medicinal cannabis can be converted into edible forms such as baked goods and capsules and that CBD dominent strains provide relief without psychoactive effects?

Did you know - that we provide other beneficial, non-toxic approaches as part of our membership program such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, shown to be effective for PTSD, TBI and chronic pain?

For more information on how cannabis therapy can help contact us today.

Marijuana For Trauma Inc. • 1-506-385-9334 • MFTgroup.ca info@mftgroup.ca • 255 Restigouche Road, Unit # 1, Oromocto, NB

issue 01

contents CANNABIS FOR CHRONIC PAIN Canadian study supports safety of medical cannabis for chronic pain ................................................................................... 6

OUT OF THE DARK Kelsi Sheren works to bring awareness to the real struggles so many veterans face .......................................................... 10

THE FUTURE OF CANNABIS IN CANADA US States like Colorado or Washington are often used as examples of a direction Canada can move in as it pursues full legalization of cannabis ............................................................................................. 14

MOUTHWATERING RECIPES Two recipes using cannabis are brought to you by Cody Lindsay, a Canadian Veteran and chef ...................................... 24

YOGA AND CANNABIS An unthinkable dynamic duo .................................................................................................................................................... 26

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR Tips for talking to your doctor about medical cannabis ......................................................................................................... 27

CANNABIS OIL What is it and can it help me? ................................................................................................................................................... 30

PROFILES Whistler Medical Marijuana Corporation ............................................................................................................................. 11 MariCann ................................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Benchmark Laboratories Group Ltd. .................................................................................................................................... 13 Marijuana for Trauma ............................................................................................................................................................. 16 Puff Pipes ................................................................................................................................................................................ 21 Marcomm Systems Group Inc. ............................................................................................................................................. 22 BC Smoke Shop .................................................................................................................................................................... 28

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Published by

Welcome

T

hanks for joining us for the very first issue of the Lift Cannabis Magazine. We couldn’t be happier to finally realize our vision for a professional and informative guide to the health and wellness benefits of cannabis for Canadians.

So what is Lift anyhow? We’re Canada’s leading resource for information about medical cannabis and how to access it safely.

Over the past several years, we’ve built a large patient-driven online community that shares experiences and reviews about medical cannabis producers and their products. Through our popular digital publication, we also provide in-depth coverage about the industry and its rapid evolution.

The goal of this print magazine is to take the successes that we’ve had online and wrap them into a new experience for a new audience. Some argue that print is dying, but we think that there’s a real need for an objective and informative publication tailored to those exploring the health and wellness aspects of cannabis.

We want the magazine to continue Lift’s mission of reducing the

Lift Vol 1, Issue 1 – Spring 2016 Published by Lift © 2016

The authors, the publisher and the collaborating organizations will not assume any responsibility for commercial loss due to business decisions made based on the information contained in this magazine. Speak with your doctor before acting on health information contained in this magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without crediting Lift Cannabis. Printed in Canada.

Please recycle.

We’re Canada’s leading resource for information about medical cannabis and how to access it safely. stigma surrounding cannabis by showing it in the most professional, thoughtful and grownup manner possible.

In this edition, we explore the future of legalization in Canada by examining how some US states have gone about it. We also look at the benefits of cannabis oil, and combining cannabis with your yoga practice. We profile some great companies, share mouth-watering recipes, and hear from a physician who shares the best ways to talk to your own doctor about medical cannabis.

Publisher, Tyler Sookochoff Design, Phitted Design phitted.com Advertising sales, printing and distribution managed through Glacier Media Inc. Advertising Inquiries, Ellyn Schriber, eschriber@glaciermedia.ca

It’s really a feature-packed first issue, and we’re so glad to have you involved. Thanks for all of your support, and we look forward to an exciting future.

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Cannabis Magazine | 2016

Accessing medical cannabis can be a challenge.

That’s why we’re building a national network of resource centres. Just for you.

The National Way

Lift Resource Centres are designed to help educate patients about medical cannabis and how to access it safely in Canada. When you visit a Lift Resource Centre, you’ll be greeted by professional medical staff members who are trained to both learn about your condition and to discuss how cannabis may help.

To book a consultation with a physician today, visit www.liftcentre.ca

www.liftcentre.ca

1-888-254-LIFT (5438)

info@liftcentre.ca

spotlight

Cannabis for Chronic Pain

Canadian Study Supports Safety of Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain

R

ecently, a team of Canadian doctors and researchers led by Dr. Mark Ware from McGill University worked with seven clinics across Canada to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of using cannabis to treat chronic pain. Their results, newly published in the Journal of Pain, lend support to the use of cannabis to manage chronic pain within a monitored treatment program.

The study followed 431 adults with chronic noncancer pain over the course of a year. Half of them were assigned to a cannabis treatment group while the other half were assigned to a control group. In all subjects, the pain had been present for at least six months, was rated moderate to severe, and other attempts at treatment had been ineffective.

The cannabis group was provided with medicinal cannabis from Canadian provider Prairie Plant

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Systems (the parent company of CanniMed) which contained 12.5% THC. Subjects used a median of 2.5 grams per day and were allowed to use the delivery system of their choosing. 27% chose to only smoke and 8% only consumed cannabis orally, while 61% preferred a combination of smoking, vaporization, and oral ingestion.

Use of medical cannabis to treat chronic pain did not increase the risk of serious adverse events, but it was associated with an increase in the risk of nonserious adverse events, the most common of which were headaches, nausea, drowsiness, and dizziness.

Experienced cannabis users had a lower incidence of adverse events. The cannabis group also had a higher rate of non-serious respiratory conditions, which is consistent with other research associating long-term cannabis smoking with a higher risk of developing bronchitis.

Cannabis Magazine | 2016

Concerning the efficacy of cannabis for pain management, the cannabis group showed significant improvements in pain intensity and quality of life, as well as improvements in symptom distress and mood disturbances related to their pain.

future research focus on characterizing safety issues specific to new users, and that studies with extended observation periods be conducted.

Full study available here: www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(15)00837-8/pdf

In summary, the results point to the safety and efficacy of up to 2.5 grams per day of 12.5% THC cannabis being used by current cannabis users as part of a carefully monitored chronic pain management program when other treatments have not been successful.

This study signifies a major step forward for medicinal cannabis research, as it is the first cohort study of the long-term safety of medical cannabis use ever conducted. In Canada, the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) require the signature of a health professional in order for a medical document to be granted, but some physicians have previously hesitated to do so due to a lack of research on long-term effects.

While the results support the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis for managing chronic pain, authors note that the cannabis group was composed of a majority of current cannabis users and that non-serious adverse events would have likely been higher if more inexperienced users were included. In light of this, they suggest that

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Author: Gonzo Nieto Gonzo Nieto is a Montreal-based writer and drug educator. He writes a column on drugs & the mind in The Link newspaper called Turning Inward and has written on drug policy and research for Lift, Reset.me, and AskMen. He’s also Co-Chair of Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy (CSSDP) and holds a B.Sc. in Psychology & Neuroscience from Concordia University. Check out his website at gonzonieto.ca.

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Out of the Dark

W

hen she deployed for her first tour in Afghanistan in April 2009, Kelsi Sheren did not realize that her life would be forever changed by her experiences in the Canadian Armed Forces. As an artillery and infantry soldier, Kelsi was injured while on the front lines and diagnosed with severe PTSD. She continued on with her tour until she was sent to the hospital at KAF. At the age of 19, Sheren was told that she would never work again and was sent home with enough pharmaceutical drugs to take down a 200-pound man. After a trying 5

years and weekly therapy sessions veterans commit suicide every day (that Sheren will continue for the and female veterans are 6 times rest of her life), she discovered as likely to commit suicide. “I’ve medical marijuana through her lost too many friends to PTSD,” physician DR. Greg Passy at the states Sheren, “I wanted to create BC Operational Stress Injury Clinic. beauty out of an item that is often A patient of Cannimed, Sheren associated with the ugliness of uses two main strains for her violence and wars. I wanted to PTSD and has been able to wean raise awareness around the real herself off of the prescription drugs struggles that so many of our for her PTSD. Sheren vaporizes a veterans face.” Sheren donates 1:13 CBD ``I wanted to raise awareness around strain and a 9:9 strain. Both the real struggles that so many of our have drastically veterans face.” helped to reduce her night terrors and have the majority of her proceeds to the helped Sheren to regain a regular programs that support veterans all sleep and life routine. of the world.

Despite being told she would never work again, Sheren has propelled herself forward to start an innovative jewelry line that recycles NATO fired bullets into beautiful jewelry pieces.

Sheren created the company as a way to give back to other veterans.

In Canada and the USA, 22 Author: Natasha Raey

www.her-wearables.com

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A serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, Natasha Raey’s primary work focuses include: healthcare, women’s empowerment and medical marijuana. As a senior manager in the primary health care field, Natasha works with health authorities and family practitioners to improve patient attachment and the experience of family physicians.

Cannabis Magazine | 2016

profile

Whistler Medical Marijuana Corporation Whistler Medical Marijuana Corporation 1 604 962 3440 info@wmmc.ca www.wmmc.ca

Beyond boasting a world-class base for skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking, Whistler, B.C. is also home to the first and only licensed producer of medical cannabis in Canada whose entire product range is certified organic.

Situated in a 10,000-sq. ft facility, Whistler Medical Marijuana Corporation (WMMC) is locally owned and operated and takes pride in producing a wide array of high-quality, non-irradiated and non-milled crops of medicinal cannabis.

WMMC’s grow practices are closely monitored

by Health Canada and the Fraser Valley Organic Producers Association to ensure the highest possible standards. With a varying host of popular strains, WMMC continues to cultivate a reputation for providing their growing patient base with access to

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some of the most sought-after and effective medical strains in the country, which are shipped Canada-wide via express courier direct to each patient’s door.

Since it first opened its doors in February of 2014, the company’s personal, one-on-one approach with each client and strong roots in the local community have helped stake its claim as one of Canada’s top producers of medical cannabis.

“We really try to nurture a relationship with each and every one of our patients. We know that there’s a huge market out there for people who want a 100-per-cent organic product and that’s what sets us apart. It’s been a point of pride for us from day one and will continue to be as we grow and evolve,” says WMMC marketing coordinator Sophie Rivers.

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profile

MariCann MariCann Inc. Phone: 844-MariCann (627-4226) clients@maricann.ca www.maricann.ca Much like the medical marijuana industry in which it plies its trade, MariCann is growing in every sense of the word.

Established in 2013 and subsequently licensed in December 2014, MariCann is a licensed producer of medical cannabis utilizing state-of-the-art Greenhouse technology growing in amended soil.

MariCann’s growing and distribution facility in Norfolk County, Southern Ontario encompasses 30,000 sq. ft. of greenhouse and 10,000 sq. ft. of processing and storage space.

In the next year, however, that capacity could significantly jump with the company’s recent acquisition of 97 additional acres of adjacent farmland.

It’s a necessary expansion in order for MariCann to keep up with demand — not only from a roster of registered clients across the country that numbered north of 3,200 in 2015 — but to ensure MariCann meets the demand generated

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by a growing number of physicians who are incorporating medical cannabis as a safer and more natural alternative to conventional treatments for their patients.

Beyond dried buds, MariCann is also in the final stages of working with Health Canada to amend its license and receive approval to sell cannabis oil.

“Outside of consistently producing some of the best-quality strains available, we are also focused on development of future strains to meet the needs of our clients. I think our strength has been a management team that collectively brings together more than 150 years of pharmaceutical experience,” says MariCann Vice President Peter Saunders. “We’re strongly focused on building core relationships with physicians and healthcare providers across the country, working from a science- and evidence-based approach to provide patients with the best outcome possible. Quite simply, the health and well-being of Canadians is our ultimate goal.”

Cannabis Magazine | 2016

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Benchmark Laboratories Group Ltd. Benchmark Laboratories Group Ltd. Phone: +1 (403) 800-2649 info@ benchmarklabs.com www.benchmarklabs.com

When it comes to the complex and ever-changing process of applying for a federal license to produce and distribute medical marijuana in Canada, Benchmark Laboratories Group Ltd. has established the gold standard for ensuring compliance, service excellence and ongoing support throughout and beyond the approval process of Health Canada’s Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR).

Initially launched in Calgary in 2004 as an industrial and agricultural materials testing laboratory, Benchmark has evolved into a multifaceted company offering a full complement of design, implementation, consulting, security and technical services supporting medical marijuana producers in Canada and around the globe.

Key to Benchmark’s success is its secure, proprietary and web-based ISO 17025 and Safe Quality Foodcompliant enterprise relational process (ERP) software called Benchmark “SYSTEM”. Billed as

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the world’s first fully integrated seed-to-sale ERP system, the software meets or exceeds regulatory compliance requirements and allows clients to easily oversee all aspects of cannabis operations from cultivation, inventory and quality control to patient and operations management, security and reporting.

“Building on our tagline of ‘One SYSTEM, One SOLUTION’, we are proud to be a full turnkey solution provider,” says Benchmark Chief Executive Officer Earl Connors. “We intimately understand the full spectrum of this industry including regulations, strategy, risk, cultivation, quality control, laboratory design, security and reporting. I know of no other company that can match our ongoing support capabilities. Our experience working in multiple jurisdictions has given us unique insights to best meet current legislative requirements and ensure our clients are well positioned to adapt to future regulatory and industry changes.”

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The Future of Cannabis in Canada

U

S States like Colorado or Washington are often used as examples of a direction Canada can move in as it pursues full legalization of cannabis, but each state’s approach and history has varying lessons on how to manage legal cannabis production and sale.

Analyzing states like Colorado or Washington shows comprehensive regulation of dispensaries is an optimal way to provide patients with access to medical cannabis.

There is also evidence that a robustly regulated dispensary/retail system can be beneficial under a legal recreational market.

Below we have listed a breakdown of several US states, along with some brief history of cannabis laws in Canada. When comparing Colorado and Washington, for

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example, it is obvious that the initial introduction of recreational cannabis was more successful in the former than the latter. This was largely due to Colorado utilizing their stronger, well-managed, preexisting dispensary system as an implementation launching point, whereas Washington opted to largely under-manage their medical system, forcing the state to start from scratch for recreational.

On October 1st Oregon legalized ‘recreational’ cannabis. Similar to Colorado, the state had a managed dispensary model in place, and has utilized this existing system to help them transition from medical only to both medical and non medical.

California also recently overhauled their dispensary/medical cannabis rules, which puts them in a good

position if full-scale legalization is ever adopted in that state.

These examples further highlight the need to properly manage brick-and-mortar retail points (‘dispensaries’) to allow for a smooth transition from a strictly medical system like the MMPR to whatever the future holds for non-medical use in Canada.

In assessing these initiatives, one possible solution for Canada is to separate cultivation and distribution so that licensed producers handle growing while licensed dispensaries provide cannabis to qualified patients.

As with other medical drugs, a cross-governmental strategy can be applied. At the federal level, this can involve approval of any new cannabis-based drugs and oversight of

Cannabis Magazine | 2016

manufacturing patents, product labeling, and pricing.

Provinces can then deal with dispensary licensing and potential coverage options under provincial health care plans. Work being done in some municipalities like Vancouver and Victoria could also provide a good template for how to manage at the local level. Moreover, once government provisions are solidified, insurance companies, which are provincially regulated, will likely have more incentive to cover medical cannabis.

If ‘recreational’ cannabis is legalized before sufficient changes are made to the medical regulations and distribution points, Canada could have a situation that is more comparable to Washington, not Colorado, where the system has struggled with protecting patient rights as well as effectively supplying recreational demand. With conflicting medical cannabis rules alongside a new recreational model, Canada will have a confusing amalgamation of policies that are administratively complex and inefficient. To mitigate the risk of problems that will require reactive solutions, a proactive approach to medical cannabis regulation should be applied immediately.

With full legalization on its way, we will soon begin to have some clarity as to what legalization will look like in Canada. So it’s important to know what other systems look like and how Canada can both adopt best practices, as well as improve upon mistakes made in other jurisdictions. The

evolution of cannabis policies in Canada, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington are summarized below.

A Glance at Cannabis Dispensing Policies in Other Jurisdictions California • Medical cannabis was legalized in California in 1996 with Proposition 215, which added a section to the Health and Safety Code known as the Compassionate Use Act (CUA).

• With a recommendation from a licensed physician, the CUA allows patients or their primary caregivers to obtain cannabis for treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief.

• In 2004, the law was broadened to enable patients to form cannabis collectives or cooperatives and to create a voluntary identification system to provide patients with extra protection from arrest.

Although there were many cannabis dispensaries in California 2004, they were not officially sanctioned. Instead, a De facto non-enforcement policy was implemented for dispensaries that complied with an established set of guidelines. The same guidelines also set limits for possession at 8 ounces of dried marijuana and no more than 6 mature or 12 immature plants. However, the limits can be exceeded if a physician explicitly specifies that more cannabis is required to meet a particular patient’s needs.

• Despite a lack of dispensary laws at the state level, numerous

city and county governments have taken steps to regulate such entities.

• On September 11, 2015, California passed the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act. The new law, which comes into effect on January 1, 2016, will generate a comprehensive regulatory framework for the cultivation, distribution, sale, and testing of medical cannabis. The legislation gives exclusive delivery rights to dispensaries and provides grandfathering rights to existing establishments while they await a state licence. However, there is also latitude for regional authorities as they will still be permitted to enact local ordinances that prohibit dispensaries.

• In 2010, Bill 1449 decriminalized possession of up to 28.5 grams of cannabis, making it an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of $100.

• Cultivation, distribution, and sale of recreational cannabis remains illegal in California.

Oregon • Oregon first ‘legalized’ access to and use of medical cannabis with a doctor’s recommendation in 1998 with Oregon Ballot Measure 67, becoming the second US state to do so after California’s Proposition 215 in 1996. Registered patients were issued permits through the Oregon Department of Human Services.

• Originally the bill allowed for 7 plants, 3 mature and 3 ounces of dried cannabis. In 2005 the law was changed to allow six mature cannabis (Continued on page 18)

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Marijuana for Trauma

Marijauna for Trauma Inc. “Veterans Helping Veterans” 1-855-638-0420 www.mftgroup.ca Throughout history, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been a visceral and crippling consequence of the horrors of war for many a soldier.

In the American Civil War, it was commonly known as “soldier’s heart”. In WWI, “shell shock”. During World War II, the Canadian military referred to it as “combat fatigue”.

With symptoms such as severe anxiety, flashbacks and nightmares, PTSD has plagued both those fighting for their country around the globe and the battle-scarred veterans who have returned home, and Canadian soldiers have not been immune.

Among those veterans is Fabian Henry, who served more than 12 years as a combat engineer

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for Canada in theatres such as Afghanistan, Haiti and Pakistan and found himself waging a life-ordeath struggle with PTSD when he returned home in 2007. Prescribed a regimen of nine pills a day for three years, he succumbed to his demons and slowly slipped into a spiral of alcoholism and depression.

It wasn’t until 2010, at the age of 30, that Henry tried cannabis for the first time and finally found almost immediate relief and respite from PTSD. The experience not only changed Henry’s views on cannabis, but led him to pick up the flag and become an advocate for fellow veterans. In 2013 he founded Marijuana For Trauma (MFT), a

Cannabis Magazine | 2016

profile

Marijuana for Trauma holistic support organization with a mission to connect veterans and civilians alike to more proven, natural and effective cannabinoid therapies as opposed to pharmaceuticals.

Henry opened the first MFT clinic in Oromocto, NB — home of 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown — in 2014 and today has established six more satellite clinics across Canada with more slated to open their doors by the fall of 2016.

Beyond consulting and educational services, MFT is dedicated to improving the lives of its patients through a unique, three-phase proprietary program that offers a range of holistic treatments including peer and spousal support services, massage, art and music therapies and psychological counseling.

“Our primary objective is to get the right medicine to help our patients treat their PTSD symptoms because pharmacological therapy doesn’t work and

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often causes suicidal ideations,” says Henry.

“We are seeing immediate and dramatic results with our three-phase process, and nobody else in the entire country is doing this.”

MFT also assists veterans in discovering and doing the paperwork to secure long-term disability entitlements from Veterans Affairs Canada that they might otherwise not know about and can help alleviate financial strain for families with a member suffering from PTSD. “Canada is a world leader in terms of medical cannabis therapy,” says Henry. “American veterans have no coverage at all and their suicide rate is astronomical, but Canadian veterans can get the cost of medical marijuana covered by the government and that’s a very unique situation. When you can help take that stress off families, educate them, help get someone on the right medication and get them back on their feet and become part of the community again, that’s what makes a world of difference when it comes to ongoing quality of life,” says Henry.

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(Continued from page 15)

plants, 18 immature seedlings, and 24 ounces of usable cannabis, and also tightened rules around patients exceeding these limits.

• All of this allowed for home production, but not commercial distribution or sale. Oregon didn’t legalize the distribution of medical cannabis ‘dispensaries’ until 2013 with the passage and signing of HB 3460.

• It was this bill which has allowed for the framework of retail management of adult/recreational ‘dispensaries’. Some of those regulated dispensaries (those selected after following state rules and applying) have been chosen as the immediate distribution of recreational cannabis while the state manages the application process for fully recreational retail stores. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission will begin accepting applications for retail cannabis stores on Jan 4 2016.

• In 2014 Oregon passed the Oregon Ballot Measure 91, legalizing “recreational use of marijuana, based on regulation and taxation to be determined by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.” The official ballot title was “Allows Medical Use of Marijuana Within Limits; Establishes Permit System”.

Washington • In 1998, Initiative 692 legalized medical cannabis and allowed patients or their primary caregivers to obtain a prescription, from a licensed physician, to possess an amount of marijuana necessary for personal use, up to a 60 day supply.

• In 2007, in response to a number of court cases, Initiative 692 was amended, with notable changes being an extension of the list of ailments that can be treated with cannabis and setting the 60 day supply limit to a maximum of 24 ounces and 15 plants. In 2010, an amendment was made that expanded prescription authority to other health care professionals including: licensed physician assistants, licensed osteopathic physicians and assistants, licensed naturopaths, and licensed advanced registered nurse practitioners.

• In 2011, further modifications were approved by the state legislature that included regulation of collectives, growers, and dispensaries and a patient registry system. However, Governor Christine Gregoire vetoed the provisions on the basis that they would make state employees vulnerable to federal charges (apparently federal authorities in the region advised that they could not assure prosecution immunity to state workers). As a result, dispensaries continue to be regulated by local governments and remain susceptible to federal raids.

• In December 2012, pursuant to Initiative 502, it became legal for those aged 21 and over to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana.

However, the law does not permit home growing of recreational cannabis.

• As the medical cannabis market in Washington was still largely unregulated at the time Initiative 502 was enacted, the state did not have an opportunity to utilize

existing dispensaries for ease of implementation, as was the case in Colorado.

• In the first year after sales of recreational cannabis began, Washington collected $70 million in tax revenue.

• In July 2016, Washington will start granting medical cannabis sales licences to some existing medical dispensaries and to existing or pending recreational establishments that want to sell both.

Colorado • In November 2000, Colorado passed Amendment 20, which authorized patients or primary caregivers to possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana and 6 plants, with up to 3 of the plants being mature.

• Cannabis dispensaries began operating in the early 2000’s. In 2009, after a number of legal disputes over how many patients dispensaries could serve, the Colorado Board of Health rejected the 5 patient limit proposal of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, a decision that effectively endorsed the dispensary model.

• In 2010, the Medical Marijuana Code (MMC) was enacted to regulate and licence medical cannabis dispensaries. Prior to this, dispensaries were only regulated by local authorities.

• Under the MMC, existing dispensaries were allowed to continue operating while in the process of obtaining a state licence. In addition, the new (Continued on page 20)

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Cannabis Magazine | 2016

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(Continued from page 18)

law gave regional governments the authority to adopt their own licensing rules or to prohibit dispensaries completely. The legislation also specifies that patients must see a doctor in-person to receive a medical cannabis prescription.

• In November 2012, Amendment 64 legalized the cultivation, distribution and sale of recreational cannabis and allows residents who are 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of the substance and grow up to six plants. In some local jurisdictions, possession rules may be different for non-residents. For example, in Denver non-residents who are 21 and older can only possess up to a quarter ounce of the substance.

• During the first year of implementation of Amendment 64, retail sales licenses were only accessible for existing medical cannabis dispensaries or applicants with pending applications for a medical dispensary licence. The objective with this policy was to enhance enforcement capacity and gradually introduce recreational sales through experienced cannabis operations that were already known to the government.

• In the fiscal year of 2014-2015, recreational cannabis generated

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approximately $100 million in tax revenue.

Canada • Responding to a number of Charter challenges, medical cannabis regulation in Canada started in 1999 with the Marihuana Medical Access program. This program provided an exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for patients who had a recommendation from a physician to possess and grow cannabis.

• In 2000, a court decision found that a particular medical cannabis patient had no practical legal way of obtaining cannabis. This case led to the initiation of the Medical Marihuana Access Regulations (MMAR) in 2001.

• The MMAR established broader guidelines with respect to treatable ailments, allowed medical practitioners to specify dosages, and provided licences to produce for patients or a designated grower.

• In 2013, the MMAR were replaced with the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR), which permits physicians or nurse practitioners to prescribe medical cannabis. The MMPR also introduced commercial cultivation

and distribution of cannabis by licensed producers, which is then delivered to licensed patients by mail. Although personal growing licenses are no longer being allotted, individuals who held such licenses under the MMAR may continue to grow cannabis on an interim basis until a final court decision is made.

• Store-front medical cannabis dispensaries have opened up across the country, with the City of Vancouver being one of the first Canadian municipalities to regulate such businesses.

• While Health Canada has expressed vehement opposition to dispensary regulation, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson asserts that dispensaries have evolved due to limited patient access within the federal system. He has also noted the need for increased access through dispensaries must be regulated to ensure public health and safety standards within the industry.

• The Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries is a trade association that acts as an advocate for its members with respect to regulation and sets guidelines that aim to maintain high standards of practice within the industry.

Cannabis Magazine | 2016

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Puff Pipes Puff Pipes Vancouver Smoke Shop Puff Downtown 1109 Granville Street

Puff Westside 1838 West 4th Avenue

Puff Uptown 3255 Main Street

Puff East Side 1204 Commercial Dr

877-420-PUFF www.puffpipes.ca For more than two decades, Vancouver’s Puff Pipes has been showcasing and championing some of the finest glass artisans in Canada and their products to a discerning clientele looking for homegrown, high-quality products.

I think our customers are questioning where things are made these days and appreciate being able to buy high-quality, locally made glass and support our rich homegrown talent. We’re part of a vibrant glass community.”

Puff Pipes, which is proudly 100-per-cent Canadian owned and operated, boasts an impressive roster of established and up-and-coming glass blowers, including some — like Vancouver’s Hi Guy Glass, designer and creator of a wide range of highperformance waterpipes and handpipes — who have been around since the company’s inception in 1995.

Beyond selling an ever-changing array of glass products and glass-blowing supplies, Puff Pipes features a comprehensive catalogue of vaporizers, pipes, hemp products and accessories. The company also added an online retail store to its resume in 2015 and now ships its products worldwide.

“We really pride ourselves on maintaining an inviting, family atmosphere and promoting the works of local artisans,” says Puff Pipes founder Wes Kuitenbrouwer. “It’s much easier to source cheaper items made overseas, but we prefer to focus on quality, Canadian-made products.

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In addition to the company’s 10,000-sq. ft warehouse and wholesale operation, Puff Pipes operates four retail locations in Vancouver — Puff Downtown (1109 Granville St.), Puff Uptown (3255 Main St.), Puff Westside (1838 West 4th Ave.) and Puff Eastside (1204 Commercial Dr.) — and its unique products are always available online at www.puffpipes.ca.

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profile

Marcomm Systems Group Inc. Marcomm Systems Group Inc. 1-888-405-9015 info@msgi.ca www.msgi.ca

Founded in 1991 to provide customers with trusted and proven solutions for security and communications systems and networks, Marcomm Systems Group Inc. (MSGI) has added to its portfolio in the last two years by partnering with licensed producers of medical marijuana to help them secure and monitor their facilities.

A member of the Advisory Board of the Canadian National Medical Marijuana Association with three offices in Ontario and Quebec — home to 17 of Canada’s 29 authorized licensed producers of medical marijuana — MSGI as developed a reputation for designing fully integrated security systems for a number of industries, having been awarded more than 30 million dollars of contracts from Public Works and Correctional Service Canada during the past six years.

From sensors and card-access systems to prevent unauthorized entry, glass-break detectors on greenhouses and complete video-camera

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coverage of facilities, MSGI not only implements customized solutions for its clients utilizing cutting-edge existing technologies but also provides a framework for future technological advances to be incorporated into each system.

“We pride ourselves on working hand in hand with each client to design and deliver in-depth technical proposals, site plans and ensure they fully comply with the rigorous building and production security protocols as prescribed by Health Canada’s Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations,” says MSGI Vice President of Operations Marc-André Bergeron.

Representatives from Marcomm Systems Group Inc. will be available to answer questions and provide information on their industry-leading security consulting services at Booth 800 during the Lift Cannabis Expo May 28-29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Cannabis Magazine | 2016

LIVE BIGGER. Phant is a lifestyle brand created for people like you. Because it’s not enough for you to just exist in this world.

You have to live big. Bigger than the rest.

www.phant.com

info@phant.com

cooking with cannabis

Cody Lindsay is a Canadian Veteran and Chef. Living a balanced lifestyle with cannabis, healthy eating, fitness, and meditation, he created The Wellness Soldier, along side his wife Kaleena. The Wellness Soldier helps other Veterans with healthy living and cannabis information, recipes, and videos. Photography by Kaleena Lindsay.

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Pancakes The greatest thing about a Sunday morning is sitting down at the table for a nice and hearty pancake breakfast. Break out the butter, warm maple syrup and fresh berries and take some time to yourself while enjoying some healthy and delicious pancakes.

A trick to make sure that your pancakes don’t turn out flat and bland, is a touch of vinegar. When the vinegar reacts with the baking soda it starts puffing them up. You can alternately use buttermilk in place of the coconut milk and vinegar.

Ingredients: • ¾ cup whole wheat flour • 1 cup quick oats • 2 Tbsp coconut sugar • ½ tsp baking powder • ½ tsp baking soda • ¼ tsp cinnamon • ¼ tsp salt

• ¾ cup coconut milk • 2 tbsp cannabis oil • 1 large egg • 5 ml white vinegar • 5 ml vanilla extract

Directions: • Mix the first 7 ingredients together in a mixing bowl • In a separate bowl, mix the remaining 5 ingredients until well incorporated • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated • Heat a non-stick pan to medium heat and add 5 ml coconut oil • Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of batter into the pan • Turn pancakes over when the tops are covered in bubbles (approx. 2-3 minutes) • Serve, Eat well, Be Happy * You can also add some extra cannabis butter to the top of the hot pancakes.

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Cannabis Magazine | 2016

cooking with cannabis

Pancetta & Pea Risotto When you make a risotto for family or guests, the room seems to come alive with excitement. The pancetta cooking with a robust white wine and cannabis butter will fill your home with amazing smells.

Don’t be afraid of the scary word ‘Risotto’; no one is going to come in your kitchen and yell at you for making it wrong. Risotto is quite simple; if you have the time and patience to stand there and stir it every 2-3 minutes for 25-30 minutes.

Since your cannabis butter will be added at the end of the cooking process you will not lose any of the delicate THC properties by over-heating.

Ingredients: • 1 - 1.5 litres chicken stock (vegetable stock can be substituted) • ½ pound pancetta • 1.5 cups of arborio rice (risotto rice) • 1 cup white wine • 2 tbsp olive oil • ¾ cup chopped onions • 2 cloves garlic

• ¼ - ½ cup peas – fresh or frozen • 2 tbsp cannabis infused butter • ½ - ¾ cup pecorino romano cheese

Directions: • Bring stock to a low simmer in a large pot (Hot stock works the best for cooking risotto.)

• Heat pan to medium/high heat and add olive oil • Sauté onions until translucent • Add garlic and pancetta and cook for 2-3 minutes (**At this point, you can leave all of the pancetta in the pan or you can take out half and sprinkle it on top of the risotto afterwards.**) • Add arborio rice and stir • Add the wine to the pan until all liquid is absorbed into the rice • Add 1 Cup (at a time) of hot stock to the rice until it is soft and edible • Stir in the pecorino romano cheese • Add cannabis butter and fully incorporate • Serve, Eat Well, and Be Happy.

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Yoga & Cannabis: An Unthinkable Dynamic Duo

Y

oga has become a wellknown practice in North America among males and females of all ages.

Whether it is for fitness purposes or to achieve complete relaxation, yoga is one of the most versatile forms of exercise. In fact, there are different styles of yoga that focus on specific areas of practice including Hatha, Bikram, and Vinyasa, just to name a few. Even professional and college sports teams are realizing the benefits of incorporating yoga into their athletic training as it can increase strength, improve flexibility, and enhance balance.1 It is evident that yoga has major benefits to health, but what about incorporating the use of cannabis with yoga? Is this a viable match, or detrimental to what yoga is supposed to accomplish?

Cannabis has been a subject of debate in Canada for some time.

However, with cannabis being prescribed to patients more often, as well as the legalization of marijuana being an active discussion, it is no wonder why

yogis are taking notice to this powerful plant.

Yoga has been shown to have positive effects on the immune system, as well as reduce inflammation within the body.2 Because of this, yoga has become an alternative form of medicine for those living with autoimmune diseases, cancer, eating disorders, and many other illnesses. In relation to alternative medicine, cannabis has been reported to have analgesic effects for those suffering from physical pain.3 For the many that practice yoga for the physical outcomes, it is likely that cannabis will compliment this practice if pain is a problem.

On the psychological end of the spectrum, yoga and meditation go hand in hand since yoga is truly centered around mindfulness and breathing. This makes yoga a popular practice among those who live with anxiety and mood disorders since it provides an opportunity to balance one’s thoughts. Since different strains of cannabis promote a state of complete relaxation, some may

find that embracing the spiritual side of yoga is made easier when cannabis is used prior to practicing.

Many believe that by incorporating cannabis with yoga, a complete body, mind, and spiritual synergy can be accomplished. With rave reviews from people finding that cannabis compliments their practice, Ganja Yoga is becoming a more popular style that is being offered by different studios and retreats around the world.

Since yoga is physiological and psychological, cannabis seems to be a match made in heaven to this popular activity.

Author: Renée Oh Renée is a Brock University graduate with a degree in Business Communications.

Renée works as a freelance writer, and enjoys writing lifestyle-based articles with regards to natural health and wellness.

1 Hart, Cady EF; Tracy, Brian L (2008) Yoga as Steadiness Training: Effects on Motor Variability in Young Adults 2 Morgan N, Irwin MR, Chung M, Wang C (2014) The Effects of Mind-Body Therapies on the Immune System: Meta-Analysis.

3 Wilsey B, Marcotte T, Deutsch R, Gouaux B, Sakai S, Donaghe H (2013) Low-dose vaporized cannabis significantly improves neuropathic pain.

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Cannabis Magazine | 2016

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Medical Cannabis

Many people in Canada live with chronic diseases and symptoms that have been resistant to traditional medications and nonpharmaceutical approaches. An increasing number of people living with unresolved symptoms are looking for alternative solutions to improve their quality of life and cannabis is increasingly being considered. Because the only way to access medical cannabis legally in Canada is through the MMPR system with a “medical document” (aka “prescription”) signed by their doctor, this necessitates a conversation that can sometimes be difficult.

Here are some tips that may help you and your physician if you want to consider medical cannabis and cannabinoids as a therapeutic option.

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Speak up: Medical cannabis and pharmaceutical cannabinoids are a relatively new treatment option on the Canadian landscape. Most physicians will not think of this class of medication as they are not familiar with it (only ~ 10% of doctors have prescribed medical cannabis in Canada). Don’t be afraid to bring up the subject for fear of thinking “my doctor would never consider this” – you might be surprised! Physicians are

liftcannabis.ca

often willing to try new treatment options, especially if your medical condition has been particularly difficult to treat.

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Be Honest: If you have used cannabis in the past and had a positive response, be prepared to talk about this with your doctor. Tell your doctor how this medication works for you, how it is different from other medications that you have used in the past, and why you would like to continue to use it in the future. One of the most powerful tools that you can do is to explain how cannabis improves your quality of life and allows you to be more functional.

If accessing a legal, reliable and consistent source of medicine is important to you then bring this up as well.

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Be prepared: Because physicians try to base their decisions on scientific evidence it is useful to come with studies to support the use of cannabis in your particular condition. If you bring in clinical studies or research that supports the use of cannabis in your condition this will demonstrate your commitment to exploring alternative solutions.

Some excellent online resources include: Information for Health Care Professionals:

www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/ marihuana/med/infoprof-eng.php, The Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids: www.ccic.net and The International Association for Cannabinoid Medicine: www.cannabis-med.org/ studies/study.php

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Listen: If your doctor is hesitant to support your use of herbal cannabis listen to their reasons – maybe there are other options that are more appropriate for your particular condition.

Remember that your doctor is also your partner in health and s/he is as dedicated as you are to allow you to lead the life you want to lead. If cannabis or cannabinoids may help you achieve your goals then chances are they will be open to having this conversation.

Good Luck!

Author: Danial Schecter Dr. Danial Schecter is the co-founder and medical director of the Cannabinoid Medical Clinic (www.cmclinic.ca).

He has helped thousands of patients decide if cannabinoids are right for them and has educated thousands of doctors on the therapeutic potential of herbal cannabis.

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BC Smoke Shop BC Smoke Shop 2624 Quadra St Victoria BC V8T 4E4 250-383-4663 1-877-297-6653 BCSmokeShop.ca

Since it first opened its doors on April 20, 2005, BC Smoke Shop has been providing an array of high-quality glass, vaporizers and accessories to a loyal and ever-growing clientele not only locally but all across North America.

What began as a small 300-square-foot store, 5 minutes away from the heart of downtown Victoria, BC soon blossomed into a much larger facility that three years ago boosted its brick-andmortar presence by adding an online component that allows customers throughout Canada and the U.S. to quickly and easily order products, with free shipping on all orders over $49.

Building on the groundswell of support for medical cannabis as a safer, healthier alternative to pharmaceuticals, BC Smoke Shop stocks and sells a wide range of top-shelf vaporizer brands

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in both portable and at-home formats, featuring products from such recognized providers as Arizer, Da Vinci, Pax, Magic Flight, Crafty, Mighty and Volcano. BC Smoke Shop also offers its customers the necessary equipment and advice to take advantage of a relatively new-to-the-mainstream method of ingesting cannabis called “Dabbing”, in which concentrated doses of cannabis known as shatter or butter are made by extracting THC crystals and then heated and consumed on a device called a Dab Rig or in a Concentrate Pen. BC Smoke Shop carries a number of dedicated Dabbing devices such as Puffco’s Pro Vaporizer Pen and Yocan EXgo II. Located on 2624 Quadra St., BC Smoke Shop is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week with products available online at BCSmokeShop.ca.

Cannabis Magazine | 2016

PREVENT THE LOSS OF TERPENES WITH BOVEDA

Boveda is the inventor and patent holder of 2-way humidity control. For the last 8 years of our 19 year existence, our 62% Boveda has changed the way cannabis is cured, stored and merchandised. We’re thankful to have been trusted and praised by cultivators, processors, dispensaries and cannabis fans for maximizing their products and profits.

4-gram: up to 14g of flower 8-gram: up to 28g of flower

Cannabis in a sealed container loses 15% more terpenes than the same container without Boveda inside. Why? Cannabis needs active, precise 2-way humidity control adding and removing moisture to maintain an unchanging moisturecontent to prevent the loss of terpenes through micro evaporation. And by stabilizing the weight, you’ll no longer lose the average 10% of your inventory to evaporation.

That’s 2-way humidity control. That’s Boveda.

60-gram: up to 1lb of flower

To compliment our 62%, Boveda has just released another world’s first: our new 56% formula with built-in oxygen scavenger. This dual function will satisfy the personal preference or strain type that prefers a lower humidity while also killing the terpene-sapping power of oxygen.

Stop by booth 412 to find out how effortless maximizing the color, aroma, flavor and efficacy of your cannabis is with Boveda. If you can’t make it by the booth, get a hold of us at 952.745.2900 or info@Bovedainc.com

B O V E D A I NC . CO M

NO MESS. NO WORRIES. ENJOY.

Cannabis Oil What is it and can it help me?

M

edical cannabis extracts have been gaining popularity with patients over the past few years primarily due to their ability to provide a cannabinoidbased medication that is long lasting and precisely dosed and one that does not require the use of harmful consumption methods. Cannabis oil, which can be found under many different monikers, is an extract of the cannabis plant consisting of its essential medical ingredients: cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids. Cannabinoids are the main chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant that provide a wide variety of medical effects; of these cannabinoids, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), are the most abundant and researched.

Terpenoids and flavonoids are aromatic compounds found in the cannabis plant that are responsible for the smell and flavor of the plant,

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but have also been associated with potentiating the medical benefits of the plant. Cannabis oil can be effective for many conditions which are often indicated for the use of medical cannabis. These conditions include but are not limited to chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, glaucoma, and eating disorders. Cannabis oil is a perfect choice over flowers for patients that are looking for longer relief of their symptoms and who do not wish to use harmful consumption methods such as combustion by inhalation.

The process of making cannabis oil involves the use of a solvent that assists in removing the essential medical compounds from the plant. Common solvents that are used to produce cannabis oil include naphtha, butane, ethanol (pure alcohol 190 proof), supercritical CO2 and culinary oil.

There has been a growing debate regarding the safety of extraction methods; the major concerns are centered on the use of solvents that have been shown to be hazardous and toxic to human health such as naphtha and butane. In order to ensure safety of your product it is ideal that medical cannabis patients purchase their cannabis based extracts from a source that conducts lab testing of their products for chemical

contaminations, solvent residue, and potency.

Cannabis oil is administered primarily through an oral route, but can also be consumed through inhalation (vaporization) and sublingual routes. As cannabis oil is primarily consumed through an oral route, it is essential for patients to understand that the onset of the medication can take longer (0.5-2 hours) and the duration of effects can last longer (up to 6-8 hours). The amount of cannabinoids that is absorbed through an oral route can vary and be unpredictable from patient to patient. Therefore, it is highly recommended that healthcare practitioners and patients enforce the mantra of, “starting low and going slow,� when utilizing cannabis oil as a treatment option.

Author: Herman Sethi Herman Sethi is an Educator at the Lift Resource Centre.

He is currently registered as a Practical Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from York University, and is a member of the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids.

He has been actively involved in the medical cannabis community for the past five years on a grassroots level.

Cannabis Magazine | 2016

Now that you’ve finished your magazine, you can visit www.bedrocan.ca to learn more about True Compassionate Pricing, Bedrocan’s standardized varieties, and our 20-year history of medical cannabis innovation.

Have you been diagnosed with a service related injury such as PTSD or chronic pain?

Have you had little to no results with traditional pharmaceutical medications?

DID YOU KNOW

that cannabis therapy is very effective at managing symptoms of PTSD, relieving chronic pain and improving quality of sleep?

DID YOU KNOW

that Veteran Affairs Canada will cover the costs of medicinal cannabis for your service related injury?

DID YOU KNOW

that still serving members of the Canadian Forces are entitled to have legal access and supply of any medication prescribed by a doctor including cannabis?

Marijuana For Trauma Inc. is a veteran owned and operated company created to support individuals and families suffering with pain, trauma and illness. For those unable to find relief, we believe cannabis therapy is a natural, non-toxic approach that deserves consideration. We, along with hundreds of our members, have shown dramatic results in reducing symptoms, improving quality of life and overall well-being.

Let us guide you through the process, the policy and the truth about medicinal cannabis, Veteran Affairs entitlements and other supportive services as a means to cultivate your right to health and happiness.

Marijuana For Trauma Inc. • 1-506-385-9334 • MFTgroup.ca info@mftgroup.ca • 255 Restigouche Road, Unit # 1, Oromocto, NB