True Leaf Supports Call for B.C. to Allow Naturopaths to Provide Safe Access to Medicinal Cannabis

VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - October 30, 2017) - True Leaf Medicine International Ltd. ("True Leaf") (CSE: MJ) (FRANKFURT: TLA) (OTCQB: TRLFF), has endorsed a report from Dr. Chris Spooner -- a member of the True Leaf Board of Directors -- calling for B.C. naturopathic physicians to prescribe and dispense medicinal marijuana under the auspices of the B.C. Ministry of Health.

The recommendation is in a submission to the Government of British Columbia, which has called for input on how B.C. will determine how and where cannabis can be sold and where it can be consumed in the province, in anticipation of the legalization of marijuana by the federal government in 2018. The deadline for submissions is November 1, 2017.

Dr. Spooner is also a director on the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia. His recommendations are offered as a naturopathic physician in private practice who experiences the confusion and challenges patients face daily with access to medicinal cannabis.

"Patients who use medical cannabis are often dealing with complex health issues and have resorted to medical cannabis after trying numerous other therapies," says Dr. Spooner in his brief. "As a matter of safe access and public safety these patients deserve a dedicated healthcare professional who is willing and able to counsel them effectively while understanding the complexity of using herbal medicines and pharmaceuticals together."

In his submission, Dr. Spooner makes the point that the Canadian Medical Association says medical doctors shouldn't be the gatekeepers for a substance that has not gone through the established regulatory review process, as required with all other drugs. Naturopathic physicians, through the College of Naturopathic Physicians (established under the Health Professions Act), have a record of strong oversight and experience with herbal medicine that should be used as the foundation for regulated access for patients choosing to use medical cannabis.

Dr. Spooner outlines six reasons for his belief that the mechanisms for effective regulation already exist. "The legislation is already in place," he says in his brief, "the government needs only to engage the College and request the creation of standards, limits and conditions for compounding and prescribing medical cannabis."

True Leaf Chair Mike Harcourt, a former premier of British Columbia, sees Dr. Spooner's proposal as an ideal way to address the current confusion about medicinal cannabis for patients seeking safe and reliable access and advice in B.C. and across Canada.