Pubdate: Sat, 10 Dec 2011
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Times Colonist
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html
Website: http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Glen McGregor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

BIG JUMP IN LEGAL DOPE REQUESTS FOR ARTHRITIS

The federal government has seen a staggering increase in the number 
of requests to to legally obtain medical marijuana from applicants 
claiming they have severe arthritis.

Applications to Health Canada based on severe arthritis claims jumped 
2,400 per cent between 2008 and 2010, far outstripping the number of 
claims for cancer, HIV/AIDS and other serious diseases, an Ottawa 
Citizen analysis has found.

The spike in arthritis claims was part of an overall rise in 
applications over the past three years, as more private clinics 
specializing in marijuana began referring patients to pot-friendly 
doctors willing to sign their forms.

But unless there has been an enormous, undocumented surge in 
arthritis rates in Canada over the past three years, the data 
suggests that patients or their doctors may be gaming the 
government's rules to obtain medical marijuana more easily.

Arthritis was listed as the reason for 40 per cent of all 
applications under the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations received 
so far in 2011. That was double the rate seen in 2008, according to 
electronic records released to the Citizen under the Access to Information Act.

Severe arthritis is one of the Category 1 illnesses that require 
patients to obtain the signature of just a single doctor under Health 
Canada rules. Cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS infections and 
spinal cord injuries and disease are also listed in Category 1, but 
often have more obvious visible symptom.

Patients with other Category 2 illnesses such as hepatitis, glaucoma 
or ulcerative colitis must go through the additional step of getting 
a specialist to sign their applications, a process that can take many 
months and does not always succeed.

Some marijuana advocates believe that patients are asking doctors to 
sign off on the faster Category 1 condition of severe arthritis to 
speed their applications.

"I think a lot of people are applying under arthritis even if they 
may have a dif-ferent condition," says Scott Gilbert, who runs the 
Hamilton Medical Marijuana Centre. "They are going with whatever is 
the easier one to get approved on."

A savvy doctor familiar with the MMAR program might ask if the 
patient has arthritis, in addition to the other conditions.

Health Canada is conducting a review of MMAR and plans to overhaul 
the way the program works, in part by transferring more authority to 
doctors. The department says it is required to approve applications 
that have been signed by a doctor and meet the conditions of the 
MMAR. It has noticed the sharp increase in marijuana applications but 
doesn't know why, exactly, the numbers are rising so sharply.

"Increasing awareness of the program among patient groups and 
treating physicians is likely a key contributing factor," said Health 
Canada spokesman Gary Holub in an email.

"The risk of abuse exists within the current system.

That's why changes are being proposed that will balance the 
legitimate needs of patients, while reducing the risk of abuse."

Patients often complain that the refusal of doctors to approve their 
applications is the greatest obstacle to entering the program. But 
the surging number of applications suggest they are finding other 
ways to get approved.

Many privately run clinics are sprouting up across the country, with 
in-house physicians to sign the 33page application form or provide 
referrals to doctors who are willing.

Rielle Capler of the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis 
Dispensaries says she's concerned about clinics asking large fees.

"There are some that have been charging $500. But this is what it has come to."

HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS

Since 2001, Canada has allowed some patients to apply for 
authorization to possess and, in some cases, grow marijuana. The 
rules are called the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations.

Who can apply?

Under the MMAR, people who are classified as Category 1 can apply to 
relieve symptoms of these diseases: Cancer, multiple sclerosis, 
HIV/AIDS infection, spinal cord injury or disease, severe form of 
arthritis, and seizures caused by epilepsy.

Category 1 patients need their doctor to fill out a form recommending 
their treatment with medical marijuana. Then their application must 
be approved.

Category 2 patients have one or more debilitating symptoms of another 
illness not covered in Category 1. They require a specialist to 
attest that conventional treatments have failed or are not 
appropriate to relieve their symptoms.

Types of authorizations

A patient can be authorized to possess marijuana produced for Health 
Canada by Prairie Plant Systems. The typical amount allowed varies 
from between one and five grams. It is sold for $5 plus taxes per gram.

Patients can be authorized to possess marijuana they have grown 
themselves. They can purchase a package of 30 seeds for $20 plus taxes.

A patient can be authorized to possess marijuana grown by a person 
designated as his or her producer. A designated grower can produce 
marijuana for a maximum of two patients.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom