Pubdate: Sat, 21 Jun 2014
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Brian Daly
Page: 15
Referenced: Statement from the Canadian Medical Association on new 
regulations on Medical Marijuana, June 10, 2013: http://mapinc.org/url/CAxT0vr7

SMOKE IT IF YOU'VE GOT IT

Quebec Hospital's Medics OK Marijuana Use for Patients

MONTREAL - The main hospital in Quebec's Eastern Townships has put 
governments on the spot with its policy on pot.

Doctors, dentists and pharmacists at CHUS hospital this week 
unanimously approved marijuana use by patients who are federally 
licensed to own the drug.

The patients will have to use vapour machines and bring their own pot 
into the hospital.

Administration is expected to decide soon if it will formally approve 
the doctors' recommendation.

The Canadian Medical Association wouldn't comment on the case Friday, 
but the CHUS doctors appear to be out of step with the CMA on the issue.

In a June 2013 position paper, the CMA said there was "no clinical 
evidence" to support the use of marijuana as a medical treatment.

"We have no information on potency, dosage or how it interacts with 
other therapies," said the CMA. "The beneficial effects of marijuana 
have not been rigorously tested and it has a huge potential to cause harm."

Patients at CHUS hospital who want to use pot will have to comply 
with several conditions, including using "a vapourizer in a negative 
pressure room or a private room," said Dr. Serge Lepage, president of 
the CHUS doctors' association.

Lepage says the marijuana policy only applies to his hospital but he 
adds, "I feel that it will stimulate discussion elsewhere."

The issue first came to light in January, when terminal cancer 
patient Charles Bury's doctor allowed him to inhale marijuana in his 
room at the CHUS.

Bury died a month later.

The Quebec government has said it will monitor the situation before 
deciding whether to introduce regulations.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom