Pubdate: Tue, 18 Mar 2008
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 Canwest News Service
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Jack Aubry, Canwest News Service

MDs BOOST DOSAGES OF PRESCRIBED POT

Health Canada's Study Also Finds the Data Surprised Most Doctors When 
They Were Told

OTTAWA -- Canadian doctors have been increasing daily dosages of 
marijuana for patients using cannabis for medical purposes, Health 
Canada reports.

The increase in prescribed dosages is noted in a recent report on the 
views of physicians regarding the use of marijuana, adding that this 
information "surprised" most doctors when they were told during interviews.

It said the doctors identified seven "logical" explanations for the 
trend, including the perception that Health Canada marijuana is "not 
as potent" as that produced and grown by patients or their suppliers.

"Higher doses of Health Canada marijuana for medical purposes may be 
warranted to achieve the same result obtainable through more potent 
strains," added the report.

Completed by Les etudes de Marche Createc, the study found physicians 
were unclear about Health Canada's maximum dosage recommendation, 
stating that "not one participant was able to guess the maximum 
level." For most doctors, the report said, overdose or dosage beyond 
an "optimal" limit was not a concern or even a consideration.

The study found unanimous agreement and even "enthusiastic support" 
among doctors for Health Canada to begin supplying dried marijuana to 
pharmacists trained to dispense it to patients, although they 
suggested that the quality be improved and the price be reduced while 
insuring that medical insurance programs cover the cost.

The reporting of the so-called trend follows Health Canada's campaign 
last summer to keep doses below five grams which included postings on 
its website referring to studies which indicated that most medical 
users need only one to three grams daily.

Other explanations for rising dosages offered by the doctors during 
the focus groups included observations that no guidelines on a common 
measurement standard -- "puff, joint versus gram" -- forcing them to 
rely on their patients for dosage information.

The doctors also pointed out that dosage is "unique" for each patient 
and, for example, addiction ceases to be a factor when a terminal 
patient is involved.

Patients also develop "a tolerance and the medication decreases in 
effectiveness, making a higher dose warranted."

The study, which was completed in December, was based on one-on-one 
telephone interviews, lasting about 45 minutes, with 30 physicians 
randomly selected from seven provinces and one territory. Half of the 
interviews were conducted with doctors in Quebec while none was 
secured in Manitoba, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Yukon and Nunavut. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake