Dave Douglas, lays out some marijuana at the 420 flea market at the East Village Factory in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday December 16, 2012, Health Canada is announcing changes to the sale of medical pot and these people at the flea market will be impacted. (CARMINE MARINELLI/QMI AGENCY)

VANCOUVER - Changes in medical marijuana laws are coming as the federal government gets out of the weed business.

At a press conference Sunday, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced proposed changes to Health Canada’s medical marijuana program. The new rules are expected to save the federal government $478 million over the next 10 years.

“Grow operations have led to public heath, safety and security concerns,” Aglukkaq said, explaining the rationale for the new proposal. “The cost to taxpayers has become sustainable.