Canadians still can’t legally grow or sell cannabis for fun, but the government announced Thursday it will allow people with prescriptions to grow their own medical marijuana at home.
Depending on their needs, patients can grow on average two plants outdoors or five plants indoors (reasoning that the settings yield significantly different amounts). Health Canada said this “provides an immediate solution” for complying with federal court order that the government make medicinal marijuana more affordable and accessible and to those who need it, reports the Globe and Mail.
The rules change should allow sick people to grow the full amount that they are prescribed. The new regulations are probably temporary, as Canada is expected to legalize the distribution and use of recreational marijuana next year.
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Write to Julia Zorthian at julia.zorthian@time.com