TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – Jan. 14, 2014) – Bedrocan Canada Inc., a Toronto-based private company and joint venture with Bedrocan BV of the Netherlands, is now licensed to provide Canadian patients with pharmaceutical quality medicinal cannabis, sold in European pharmacies since 2003. Canadian patients will have access to the full complement of Bedrocan Canada’s imported cannabis strains, at $7.50/gram. Bedrocan cannabis is the only cannabis in the world that is legally shipped across international borders. Bedrocan BV is the provider to a number of European countries since 2006 and to Canada as of 2014. By late 2014, Bedrocan Canada will offer patients locally grown, pharmaceutical-grade medicinal cannabis.
From its inception in 2001, Bedrocan BV has recognized that safe use of medicinal cannabis means ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between patients’ needs and the regulatory demands of modern medicine. Bedrocan Canada President Marc Wayne said, “We are excited to introduce Bedrocan’s values and varieties to Canadians. Our Health Canada license and partnership with Bedrocan BV will enable Canadian patients to access high quality, standardized strains of medicinal cannabis used for 11 years in the Dutch medicinal cannabis program. During that time, Bedrocan has consistently shown its commitment and leadership in medicinal cannabis. They’ve sponsored leading educational organizations like the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids, developed resources on cannabis used by doctors throughout Europe, conducted more research on medicinal cannabis than any other private company in the world, and focused on patients’ needs by publishing scientific surveys and by listening to both patients and science in developing cannabis strains. We intend to bring these values of education, research, and patient care to Canada.”
Bedrocan BV has scientifically demonstrated the importance of product quality to patients. In a study published in 2006(1), Bedrocan’s head of R&D, Dr. Arno Hazekamp, found that unregulated cannabis often contained molds, fungus, bacteria, pesticides, heavy metals, or other harmful contaminants at unsafe levels. This is a significant concern for all patients, but is especially important for those who may have weak immune systems. Bedrocan’s cannabis strains are produced to pharmaceutical quality standards established by the Dutch Health Ministry, which means they meet the same standards for production as all other medicines. The “buds” are fully standardized, containing the same composition of active ingredients each time they are produced. Standardization is crucial for all medicines. It allows doctors and patients to accurately monitor treatment progress. No other company in the world has been able to standardize whole cannabis flowers this way. The Bedrocan medicinal cannabis strains available in Canada are: Bedropuur® (THC 24%, <1%CBD), Bedrocan® (THC 22%, <1%CBD), Bedica® (14% THC, <1%CBD), Bediol® (THC 6.5% / CBD 8%) and Bedrolite® (CBD 9%, <0.4% THC).
Since 2005, Bedrocan BV has been the only company in the world offering multiple varieties of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products for research, as well as patient use. Bedrocan initiates its own studies, regularly consults in third party research, and partners with public and private institutions to research cannabis (Leiden University, Wageningen University), conduct clinical trials (Health Innovations Netherlands®), and study patients’ and physicians’ needs (Utrecht University and the Canadian Consortium on the Investigation of Cannabinoids). Bedrocan’s team has conducted research on the chemical differences among varieties, optimizing growth conditions, developing methods for analysis and quality-control, understanding popular administration forms (with a special focus on vaporizing/inhalation), isolation of cannabinoids and terpenes, and patient surveys.
The federal government’s new Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) program enables only licensed producers to supply medicinal cannabis to patients in Canada. Canadians may now register with a licensed medicinal cannabis producer and order their prescription cannabis online or over the phone, making it safe, easy and convenient to access medicinal cannabis in privacy.
ABOUT BEDROCAN
Bedrocan Canada Inc. is a federally licensed producer and distributor of medicinal cannabis and a joint venture between Bedrocan BV of the Netherlands, the only producer of medicinal cannabis for the Dutch government, and Canadian management with extensive knowledge and experience in the use of cannabis and cannabinoids in clinical practice. Bedrocan Canada’s vision is to be a driving force in unlocking the full therapeutic potential of cannabis through scientific research and pharmaceutical-grade production. Bedrocan Canada is committed to sustainable production of medicinal cannabis, safe clinical practices, regulatory compliance and transparent communication with all our stakeholders, to improve the quality of life for our customers.
(1) Hazekamp, A. An evaluation of the quality of medicinal grade cannabis in the Netherlands. Cannabinoids. 2006; 1(1):1-9.
