Pubdate: Sat, 12 Jul 2014
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Copyright: 2014 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Website: http://www.leaderpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Author: Jordan Press
Page: C7

GOVERNMENT LOOKS TO CAP VETERANS' MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE, COSTS

Veterans Affairs Canada is considering capping its medical marijuana
program, limiting how many grams of pot former military personnel can
receive, and how much the government will pay.

Veterans Affairs wants to ensure costs for the burgeoning program
don't spiral out of control. The cap, proposed last month, is also
aimed at addressing medical concerns over the efficacy and safety of
using marijuana for medicinal reasons.

Federally, Veterans Affairs Canada is the only publicly funded payer
for medical marijuana. Veterans who have a doctor's note for marijuana
can receive regular benefits from the government to cover all, or
most, of the costs.

Between 2011 and 2013, the number of veterans in the program, as well
as its cost, have increased about fourfold, according to an internal
briefing note obtained by Postmedia News. In 2013, 121 veterans
received assistance for medical pot, at a cost of $353,000 to the 
department.

Even more veterans use marijuana outside any formal pot program to
treat physical pain and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), said Mike Blais, founder of Canadian Veterans Advocacy.

"They're using marijuana rather than anti-psychotic drugs to find that
peace," said Blais, who was recently prescribed marijuana for back
pain stemming from an injury while he was a peacekeeper.

More veterans want to be in the program and are asking for daily doses
beyond what the department feels is safe. Without the cap, "uptake is
expected to increase significantly," reads the June note to Veterans
Affairs Minister Julian Fantino.

Although most prescriptions were for five grams a day, between April
and June the department received 22 requests for 10 grams a day or
higher, according to the briefing note.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt