Pubdate: Tue, 10 May 2016
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Page: 4
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Murray Brewster

WATCHDOG MISSED POINT ON POT: VETS

OTTAWA - A veterans group says auditor general Michael Ferguson's
latest report clouds the most important issue when it comes to the
increasing use of medical marijuana to treat injuries such as
post-traumatic stress disorder.

Clayton Goodwin, of the Veterans Accountability Commission, one of a
growing number of grassroots organizations, says last week's audit
focused too narrowly on the rising cost of the program and not on the
health benefits of switching from pharmaceuticals to medicinal pot.

He claims there are cost-savings associated with dropping prescription
drugs, and would have preferred to see the report analyze that aspect.

"In the auditor general's report; he basically leaves out facts,"
Goodwin said at a media event on Parliament Hill on Monday. "He comes
at it from the cost of medical marijuana. He has not said anything
about the cost of pharmaceuticals."

Veterans who are taking part in the program should have been
interviewed - or at least consulted - about changes in their quality
of life after switching to medical marijuana as part of their therapy,
said Goodwin.

"My anecdotal evidence from speaking with people in the community is
an 80% reduction in the use of pharmaceuticals," Goodwin added. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D