Entrepreneur hopes to bring medical marijuana to Nunavut

A northern entrepreneur wants to start offering medical marijuana to residents of Nunavut.

Ed Devries has applied for a business license in Iqaluit and says he plans to open a store so people with medical conditions cangain access tohigh quality marijuana.

"I believe that the individual has a right to have this medicine available to them," said Devries. "It's available in the south and we're ready for it here."

Devries wants to open a storefront operation with a smoking room and hopes to offer several varieties of pot to those in need.

He said the model is based on marijuana dispensaries in southern Canada.

Devries said customers would have a doctor confirm their illness and then swear an oath that they use the marijuana to treat the symptoms of that illness.

He estimates about 50 per cent of adults that smoke pot in Nunavut would qualify for medical use.

The City of Iqaluit has yet to make a decision on Devries' licence application.