Pubdate: Fri, 21 Jun 2013
Source: Metro (Regina, CN SN)
Copyright: 2013 Free Daily News Group Inc.
Contact:  http://metronews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5406
Author: Alyssa McDonald

REGINA MAN APPEALING WCB RULING ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Court Case. Workers' Compensation Board has denied coverage

As a group of sign-carrying protesters stood outside the Court of
Queen's Bench building on Thursday, a key face was missing.

Carey Heilman was at a hospital undergoing surgery for back spasms,
which limit his ability to work and make everyday life painful enough
to have a pain pump in his lower spine.

Eleven years ago he started using medical marijuana, with a
prescription from a neurologist, for the pain - but the Saskatchewan
Workers Compensation Board has refused to pay for the treatment.

"He's been trying to get some of his medication paid for - medical
cannabis," said rally organizer Tim Selenski, owner of Head2Head
Novelties and a medical marijuana distributor.

"He chooses to use holistic medication over some of the heavy
prescription drugs that he is supposed to be taking for his pain."

Selenski has been running a tab for Heilman for nine years and tries
to bill the WCB, which has not reimbursed him. Friends say Heilman
hurt his back when working for a furniture company and that the injury
worsened later by a botched surgery.

Heilman took the issue to court on Thursday morning, though he wasn't
able to be there as the proceedings unfolded. Lawyers say the case
might go on for months.

The Saskatchewan WCB's policy does not include the use of medical
marijuana, even if a doctor prescribes it.

"They would have to pay more than just Carey, obviously," Selenski
said. "There are other people who use medical cannabis - with the
company I work for, we have approximately 20 people on WCB that we
supply."

Three provinces - Quebec, Ontario and Alberta - treat medical cannabis
like other prescription drugs in covering at least some of its costs
for patients.

The WCB declined to comment on the case because it remains before the
court.
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MAP posted-by: Matt