Medical Marijuana Use

December 06, 2016, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Until this last decade Marijuana use has been considered by most people as illegal, wrong or in the grey zone. It has carried with it a stigma. People who smoke pot were considered by many to be stoners, not headed anywhere good. Many people smoke recreational marijuana but it carries a stigma. That stigma carries over to medical marijuana use for many.

Medical marijuana is available to Canadians that qualify by virtue of the diagnosed medical condition that they suffer from. The decision to use it remains between the patient and their physician alone. The law requires that the patient be followed by a physician. The prescription for the medical marijuana must be signed by a physician in good standing with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, be licenced in the province, and hold a valid narcotics class one licence. Health Canada has also recently recognized Nurse Practitioners as prescribers.  Having said that not all physicians or nurse practitioners are willing to prescribe marijuana for medicinal use, and they may refer a patient on to pain clinics for further assessment. You can read the specifics around the regulations here.

• Chemotherapy side effects    
• cancer side effects     
• pain from MS 
• pain and appetite stimulation for AIDS/HIV
• insomnia
• chronic pain   
• palliative use
• anxiety
• PTSD
• Epilepsy
• Migraine         
• Parkinson’s

Cannabis can interact with other drugs and if you are using it in a prescribed manner or not you should speak to your health care practitioner anytime you are prescribed other medications. Marijuana can interact with drugs that slow down the central nervous system, antiretroviral drugs, anti-depressants, and some antibiotics. Always check with your prescribing physician and pharmacist.

Drug use in general is discouraged in pregnant women as all drugs pass into the womb and can/will affect fetal development. Catastrophic outcomes from drug use are known for many drugs.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.