Shoppers Drug Mart has joined forces with software company TruTrace Technologies (CSE: TTT) (OTC: BKKSF) to develop and deploy a blockchain-powered pilot program to increase transparency, interoperability and product identification within the medical cannabis industry.

The pilot program will use TruTrace’s StrainSecure technology as a central hub for identity management, asset tracking, validation, and product authentication. StrainSecure will also serve as a master registry for standardized testing, product verification, and quality assurance.

Phase 1 of the pilot program is expected to be completed by July 31, with full production and implementation targeted for late November 2019.

“We’ve gone to great lengths over the past six years to fully understand the challenges and opportunities that exist within the medical cannabis industry and taken steps to apply similar principles from traditional medicine to this new industry. The source of medical cannabis must be traceable and accountable for patients and practitioners to feel confident about it as a treatment,” Ken Weisbrod, vice president of Shoppers Drug Mart, said in a statement.

“When a patient takes medication, there is an expectation that it is standardized, and they can expect consistent clinical outcomes and results. Although that’s not always a guarantee within the medical cannabis industry at the moment, we’re hoping this new program can help change that,” Weisbrod added.

Shoppers Drug Mart is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix in Québec. With nearly 1,300 stores operating in prime locations in each province and two territories, the company is one of the most convenient retailers in Canada.