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. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake