Medical pot producer funds sober driving campaign

Canada's largest producer of medical marijuana is funding a national campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while under the influence of the drug.

Canopy Growth Corporation, which owns Smiths Falls, Ont., cannabis producer Tweed and Toronto-basedBedrocan CanadaInc., will provide funding over three years to the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition and Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada to develop and administer the campaign.

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"We're proud to be bringing together the Canadian leaders in sober driving campaigns with leaders in the development of responsible drug policy for this important initiative," said Canopy Growth Chairman and CEO Bruce Linton in a news release.

"Now that we're on the verge of a legal access to cannabis for personal use, it's time to step up and do our part as responsible corporate citizens."

Federal legislation coming spring 2017

With the federal government making plans to introduce legislation tolegalize cannabis for personal use by next spring, the campaign aims to discourage impaired driving.

"As laws change in Canada we think it's important to take the same approach to cannabis as we have with alcohol, particularly given an increasing presence of cannabis in driving incidents already," said MADD Canada CEO Andrew Murie in the same news release.

"We are pleased to be part of this new national campaign to educate the public and reduce the number of people who drive while impaired by cannabis."

The Canadian Drug Policy Coalition will provide research and third-party expertise to ensure the awareness campaign is designed according to international best practices, according to the release.