In the past decade and a half, Canada’s medical cannabis program has been recognized for founding one of the most sophisticated programs in the world.

With companies like Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR), Canada already has a growing network of licensed producers committed to exceeding Health Canada’s high safety and security standards from seed to sale.

More than 167,000 Canadians rely on medical cannabis, with companies like Tillray serving tens of thousands patients domestically. In 2016, the company became the first medical cannabis producer in North America to have a certificate of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in the European Union’s GMP database. GMP certifications are the most rigorous standard medical product manufacturers must feet to expand international distribution.

The ability of licensed producers to meet demand is still limited, since Canada’s medical cannabis framework places certain restrictions on distributors.

In February, the European parliament voted to approve the Canada-European Union trade agreement (CETA), which would allow Canada to gain access to the world’s second-largest market, where 500 consumers in 28 countries generate $20 million dollars annually in economic activity.

The Canadian cannabis sector possesses the potential to provide jobs, revitalize communities, and bring in tax revenue which would renovate the country’s economy.