{"id":267707,"date":"2019-11-27T11:30:54","date_gmt":"2019-11-27T16:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/policyoptions.irpp.org\/issues\/medical-cannabis-will-be-lost-amid-the-gummies-and-suds\/"},"modified":"2025-10-07T22:44:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T02:44:40","slug":"medical-cannabis-will-be-lost-amid-the-gummies-and-suds","status":"publish","type":"issues","link":"https:\/\/policyoptions.irpp.org\/fr\/2019\/11\/medical-cannabis-will-be-lost-amid-the-gummies-and-suds\/","title":{"rendered":"Medical cannabis will be lost amid the gummies and suds"},"content":{"rendered":"

The next phase of legal cannabis \u2013 the arrival of edibles \u2013 is unlikely to do any good for one area of the legal market: medical cannabis. Once they arrive in 2020 edibles will largely be a distraction for medical cannabis. This is one likely outcome we see as we reflect on the completion of the first year of cannabis legalization for recreational use and look ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edibles, extracts and topicals offer a brand new market for cannabis suppliers, and beer companies, tobacco companies, beverage makers, skincare developers and pet care companies have all shown interest in moving into this market. Estimates suggest the broader edible and topical market could be worth an additional 30 percent<\/span><\/a>. But these companies are typically connected to the recreational side of the market, and the advance of more whimsical products such as gummies and brownies is likely to temper at least some of the clinical respect that cannabis as a medicine receives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Originally, the main reason for introducing recreational cannabis was to remove as much of the black market as possible, with a focus on keeping prices low enough to do so. The black market has rarely provided edibles, so the motivation for their legalization is surely different. Edibles are aimed at the adult entertainment market, and there are limitations on the amount of the psychotropic chemical <\/span>tetrahydrocannabinol<\/span> (THC) <\/span>present. (The amount of cannabidiol [CBD] is not legislated.) According to the regulations, the maximum allowed dose<\/span><\/a> of THC is 10 mg per package item, which might be too low for some medical patients and is not at all relevant for patients taking only CBD. The medical benefit from legalizing the sale of edibles might be the convenience for patients seeking THC, since liquid extracts (oil) are already available. Medical patients are likely going to choose an amount and a response time that is tailored to their health care needs. Allowing for a low dose of THC is understandable, given concern over the unintended consequences of the more potent and lasting effects of edibles (the duration of the effect can be 4 to 10 hours<\/span><\/a>). <\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo: Shutterstock, by Roxana Gonzalez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Medical cannabis must find a home in the Canadian medical environment, and edible products have the potential to devalue its opportunity to do this. We think there must be ways for cannabis to enter into the conventional health care stream, where Canadians obtain their health advice and products. <\/span><\/p>\n

A potential medical entrant for the dispensing of medical cannabis is pharmacists. At present, they can offer advice and counselling for patients taking cannabis but cannot dispense it. The Canadian Pharmacists Association<\/span><\/a> is asking that pharmacist be permitted to dispense medical cannabis. There is a strong case to be made for medical cannabis prescribed by physicians to be dispensed from a medical facility by a person the patient already trusts, a pharmacist. As well, allowing pharmacists to prescribe could also improve access and coordinate the exchange of information with the family physician. This separate and monitored medical cannabis outlet might also be the mechanism through which to remove GST. <\/span><\/p>\n

There has been no fundamental change in the health care profession on the merits of the wide-spread use of medical cannabis. The Government of Canada<\/span><\/a> has a frighteningly long list of potential problems arising from the medical use of cannabis. The Canadian Medical Association has warned of the risk associated with it, but it does also recognize that some patients<\/span><\/a> with \u201cterminal illness or chronic disease may obtain relief with cannabis.\u201d Many in the health care community have called for clinical studies of this drug, but conducting such worthwhile work is hampered because private laboratories are not able to get compensated for their findings (via patent protection) on a so readily available product. It is likely that only governments are capable of financing such research.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo: Buds for medical marijuana. Shutterstock, by Teri Virbickis.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To obtain a prescription for medical cannabis a patient simply has to find a physician with a valid licence in Canada. The form asks for information about grams per day, but apparently Health Canada is not required to check that the dose is respected. There are no stipulations about the relative THC\/CBD content. Physicians may give their own advice and follow up with their patients, but apart from signing-off, this is not required. <\/span><\/p>\n

Around the country, some licensed producers have physicians connected to them or on staff who offer clinical advice on treatment paths and dosage. Some charge for this service. <\/span><\/p>\n

No best practices are in place, because medical testing of cannabis is largely absent. From a patient\u2019s perspective, it might be intimidating to venture into this kind of care, which seems so unfamiliar.<\/span><\/p>\n