Pubdate: Mon, 23 Mar 2015
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Murray Brewster
Page: A1

FEDS SPEND $4.3M ON MEDICINAL MARIJUANA FOR VETERANS

OTTAWA - The cost of providing medical marijuana to the country's 
injured soldiers under a Veterans Affairs program jumped to more than 
$4.3 million this fiscal year, an increase of 10 times what was spent 
last year.

And the number of ex-soldiers eligible for taxpayer-funded, 
prescribed pot more than quadrupled to 601 patients, according to 
figures released by the department.

The numbers represent a dramatic escalation, even from last fall, 
when former veterans minister Julian Fantino was told in a briefing 
note that there were 224 approved cases.

There were 116 eligible veterans at the beginning of the last budget year.

In 2013-14, the government spent $417,000 on medical marijuana for 
soldiers, said the briefing obtained by The Canadian Press under 
access to information legislation.

The jaw-dropping increases may represent a conundrum for Health 
Canada, which routinely warns against marijuana use, and the ruling 
Conservatives. The Conservatives have ridiculed Liberal Leader Justin 
Trudeau's campaign for overall legalization of marijuana.

In a statement, a Veterans Affairs spokesperson stood by the program, 
pointing to government documents explaining that even though the 
government does not want to see marijuana used as medicine, the 
courts have ordered patients to have access to it if prescribed.

"Marijuana for medical purposes is not an approved drug or medicine 
in Canada and Health Canada does not endorse or promote the use of 
marijuana," said Janice Summerby in an email. "However, (Veterans 
Affairs) will support eligible veterans by reimbursing the cost of 
marijuana for medical purposes if their physician deems it is an 
appropriate treatment for the veteran's health condition and 
authorizes its use in accordance with Health Canada's regulations."

Throughout much of last year, there was a growing debate within the 
veterans department about how much would be covered by the program, 
introduced in 2008, and whether it should be capped or even cancelled outright.

Fantino, who has since been replaced by Erin O'Toole as minister, was 
presented with four different options, including dropping the policy, 
but retaining existing clients; or eliminating it altogether.

In a pamphlet sent to constituents last year, Fantino claimed Trudeau 
wants to "make buying marijuana a normal, everyday activity for young 
Canadians" and even charged that the Liberal leader wants to allow 
the sale of pot in corner stores.

At the same time, Health Canada - which oversees the country's 
burgeoning medical marijuana industry - is running ads saying: "The 
science is clear. Marijuana use equals health risks."

Clayton Goodwin, a former reservist who was injured in the Far North 
in 2004, said the mixed messages make it hard to get pot prescribed 
by a doctor, even though medical marijuana has been legal since 2001.

"The personal stigma and shaming of an individual's choice of 
medicine is something that needs to be addressed," said Goodwin, who 
noted that a group run by an ex-combat engineer in New Brunswick - 
Veterans Helping Veterans: Marijuana for Trauma Inc. - is helping 
pair veterans with doctors who will prescribe marijuana.

He said many veterans with chronic pain, anxiety and post-traumatic 
stress are choosing medicinal pot over pharmaceuticals for safety and 
to get away from some of the side effects of prescription drugs.

Goodwin agreed that the price of anywhere between $9 and $15 per gram 
was too high, but blamed the government.

"Right now, normal Canadians, never mind veterans, do not have enough 
access from the licensed producers from the program that's been put 
in place to supply us our medication because (the government) hasn't 
licensed enough of them and they are taking on too many consumers," 
Goodwin said.

Cancelling or capping the program, especially in an election year, 
could further anger an already incensed veterans community.

The debate at Veteran Affairs started last spring after Health Canada 
introduced regulatory changes that limited its role to overseeing the 
rules and licensing of private producers.

"There are no longer any health criteria to be met and fewer controls 
over who can prescribe," said the Oct. 20, 2014 briefing note to Fantino.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom