Pubdate: Thu, 25 Feb 2016
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2016 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Carly Weeks
Page: A5

SPECIALISTS WORRIED THAT SHOPPERS WILL SELL POT

Leading public-health and addiction specialists are condemning plans
by Canada's largest drugstore chain to investigate the idea of selling
marijuana, calling it a profit-motivated move that would have
devastating effects.

The Globe and Mail reported on Tuesday that Shoppers Drug Mart is
exploring the possibility of selling marijuana in its stores.
According to people involved in the discussions, the company has held
meetings with licensed medical-marijuana producers. It also has not
ruled out a move into selling marijuana for recreational purposes.
Currently, pharmacies are not permitted to sell medical marijuana, but
the federal government has promised to legalize the drug, which could
open the market.

"This is corporate greed," said Meldon Kahan, medical director of the
substance use service at Toronto's Women's College Hospital. He said
it would be "destructive and dishonest" if Shoppers and other
health-care facilities were to present their plans as a medical service.

Dr. Kahan compared the sale of marijuana in drugstores to the
Prohibition era, when pharmacists could fill prescriptions for
alcohol. There is little convincing scientific evidence that either
substance can treat medical conditions, and pharmacies are not the
appropriate venue for the sale, he said.

Ian Culbert, executive director of the Canadian Public Health
Association, said there is "insufficient evidence to call [cannabis]
medicine," and warns opening the market to pharmacies could lead to
increased use and serious side-effects.

"This is not a health product and don't try to peddle it as a health
product," he said.

Rebecca Jesseman, policy director of the Canadian Centre on Substance
Abuse, said the organization is concerned allowing marijuana in
drugstores would convey that it is safe and effective when the
evidence is far from clear.

She added that 50 years ago, pharmacies used to profit from the sale
of tobacco and marketed cigarettes heavily. If marijuana moved into
drugstores without strict government oversight, it could harm public
health, she said.

Benedikt Fischer, a senior scientist at Toronto's Centre for Addiction
and Mental Health, said pharmacies may be the right place to dispense
marijuana. But the bigger focus should be on ensuring whatever system
is adopted gives priority to public health, not a company's bottom
line.

In a statement, the Canadian Pharmacists Association said it is
"concerned about the health effects of marijuana and cautions the
government to act first with the health of Canadians in mind." The
organization is rewriting its policy on pharmacist dispensing of
medicalmarijuana.

In a 2013 submission to the federal government, the association
emphasized the concern over the possibility of having pharmacists
dispense medical marijuana given the lack of evidence supporting its
safety and efficacy.

The federal government has not approved marijuana as a medicine, but
doctors are allowed to prescribe it. Although it has many proponents,
the scientific literature is not conclusive.

An analysis of studies on cannabinoids - active chemical ingredients
in marijuana - published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association last year found some evidence they help chronic pain. The
studies compared cannabinoids to a placebo, rather than a medical
treatment. So the evidence does not give an accurate picture of how
well cannabinoids work when stacked against existing medical
treatments, Dr. Kahan said. At the same time, use of cannabinoids was
linked to a higher risk of problems like vomiting, confusion and
hallucinations. Some research suggests cannabis is linked to psychosis.

Many questions are still unanswered about medical cannabis, in part
because tight restrictions make research difficult.

Shoppers spokeswoman Lana Gogas said in an e-mail the company's
efforts are "directed at the safe dispensing of medical marijuana."
Ms. Gogas did not respond when asked several times if the company
would rule out sale of marijuana for recreational purposes.
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MAP posted-by: Matt