// Definition
A Canadian federal authorization issued under Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that permitted individuals to legally possess and cultivate cannabis for medical purposes. It was one of the earliest forms of legal medical cannabis access in Canada, predating the MMAR program.
// From the Episode
Remo shares his story of receiving a Section 56 exemption around 1999-2000 after his wife wrote to Prime Minister Jean Chretien. The letter was forwarded to Alan Rock's office, who advised them to find a willing doctor. Remo had broken his back in a car accident and found cannabis far more effective than the Demerol, Percocet, and Ativan prescribed by his doctor.