2013-05
January 14, 2013
Your newspaper's article ("Decision intensifies medical marijuana concerns", January 9, 2013) reflects concerns about the proposed Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) placing an increased burden on physicians without presenting all the facts.
Canadian courts have found that individuals who need marihuana for medical purposes have a right to reasonable access to a legal source of marihuana. Subsequent to these decisions, the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations were introduced in 2001 to allow seriously ill Canadians to obtain an authorization to possess, with the support of a medical practitioner. As marihuana is a controlled substance, it is only legally accessible by obtaining an authorization to possess from Health Canada under the current Marihuana Medical Access Program.
Reports that the proposed Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations place an increased burden on physicians are false.
Health care practitioners have always decided whether or not to prescribe marihuana for medical purposes. Under the proposed changes, their responsibility to assess and decide what to prescribe their patients will not change.
In order to support informed decision-making, Health Canada has established an Expert Advisory Committee to assist in providing health professionals with comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date information on the use of marihuana for medical purposes.
The Government has also simplified the process for patients and health care practitioners. Under the proposed new regulations, they would no longer be required to fill out forms for Health Canada. Instead, health care practitioners would simply provide their patients with a medical document that is similar to a prescription. As well, the new regulations would enable nurse practitioners to support access to marihuana for medical purposes, provided they are authorized to do so within their province or territory.
Health Canada's role has always been to ensure that individuals are compliant with the regulations prior to issuing an authorization to possess. The Government does not determine whether or not the use of marihuana for medical purposes is appropriate for any given patient; that is up to doctors and medical practitioners.
Sincerely,
Hilary Geller
Assistant Deputy Minister
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Health Canada
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