A provincial civil liberties group is calling on the federal government to relax its grip on medical marijuana distribution.

"It’s so critical that we take away this double bind that seriously ill patients are in, where they have to choose between breaking the law and getting their medicines," B.C. Civil Liberties Association’s policy director Micheal Vonn said. "This situation is not one that is constitutional or in keeping with human rights."

The rights advocacy group submitted a request to Health Canada on July 9 asking that medical marijuana pharmacies and compassion clubs be authorized under the Medical Marijuana Access Regulations.

At present, authorized marijuana users can access Health Canada’s supply of dried marijuana or seeds. A designated grower can also apply for a license to provide pot to up to two people.

Compassion clubs — organizations providing medicinal marijuana and other natural health care options to the public — became popular in 2001 when the Canadian government passed the Marijuana Medical Access Regulation, a law permitting eligible Canadians access to medicinal marijuana.

Despite pressure from community groups across the country, the federal government maintains its position that compassion clubs are illegal. Police raided several Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut clubs in recent months, confiscating goods and effectively shutting down services to the community.

"Health Canada does not license organizations such as 'compassion clubs' or 'cannabis dispensaries' to possess, produce, or distribute marihuana for medical purposes," a June 7 Health Canada media release said. "The only way that individuals can be legally authorized to possess marihuana for medical purposes is to apply to Health Canada under the MMAR."

Conservative MP Randy Kamp voiced his concerns over compassion clubs in June, telling the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Times that those obtaining pot from non-profit dispensaries should be charged for breaking the law.

Kamp could not be reached for comment.

For Micheal Vonn, Health Canada’s restrictions are proving harmful to licensed marijuana users who seek access to the drug for medicinal purposes.

"We don’t have to have this extraordinary restrictive and quite frankly bizarre distribution model," she said. "Having safe, available, medical marijuana through a community-based distribution mechanism is going to improve care for so many people."

Niamh Scallan is completing a practicum at The Tyee.