Ottawa bringing in stricter limits on medical marijuana for veterans

Ottawa Morning, CBC Radio

November 23, 2016

Here's another interview on the subject matter, interesting point made on the exceptional circumstance for an increase of more than 3 grams.

Please be advise that viewer caution is advised on the start of the interview where the energy bunny is again being heard speaking.

MedReleaf sent one as well. I have both MedReleaf and April as LPS. Honestly guys... I'm not concerned about the new policy. I'm sure MFT will foot the bills and get us our "specialist" papers. It's in everyone's involved best interest.

I received an email from my supplier Aphria, saying they would absorb any costs above the $8.50 per gram threshold set by VAC.

I voted once in my life when I was 18 years old because I learned that Politicians say want people want to hear to get votes and then do what they are told by the Government once they are elected.

Danny,

My advice is to hold HRP accountable or they may abuse their power again on someone else.

So much for the Liberal campaign promise to treat veterans better than the Conservatives. They are so full of BS.

And our suppliers and their unethical practices have damaged the cannabis program too.

If this is the case will there be a store where I can buy it myself?
Who needs a prescription?
They decide, dictatorship decides.

BROKEN PROMISE.

I was assaulted by a Halifax Regional Police while on pills and alcohol.
I haven't been since I now use THC/BDC's to help with my physical and mental health.
It allowed me to stop using these other substances that blacked me out completely (alcohol/pills). Adding to this a misdiagnosed mess.

Whatever happened to our/my privacy......guess no one cares.....they lie, politician.
If I was a General or an Admiral?
Would I listen to a forked tonged liar politician.

I filed a complaint against HRP, they dismissed it...now that I found the medical docs that relates to that attack by an HRP and I like a good soldier always keep the picture evidence may lay charges....

They want to role the dice on peoples lives eh!
Anyone even listening to anyone, or is there to many chiefs and not enough followers or too many followers and some leaders at the top that have absolutely no clue.

You want to send teenagers over seas GOC (me) and train them as soldiers, well you have one.
Drama teacher and a fairy tale life, no not ours. We our soldiers.

November 22, 2016 20:55 ET

Veterans Group Marijuana for Trauma Responds to Cutbacks in the Updated Policy on Medical Marijuana Coverage for Veterans

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 22, 2016) - Canada House Wellness Group Inc. (formerly Abba Medix Group Inc.) ("Canada House") or the ("Company") (CSE:CHV)(CSE:CHV.CN)(CNSX:CHV), the parent company of Marijuana for Trauma ("MFT") is providing this update in response to the Government's recently announced policy changes regarding medical marijuana coverage for veterans.
In response to Veterans Affairs Canada's planned cutback of medical marijuana reimbursements to veterans, MFT has pledged to implement clinical programs and processes to help veterans to continue to receive their medically appropriate prescribed amount of medicine.
These changes, which suggest three grams per day to be the maximum reimbursable dose, contradict what thousands of veterans relying on cannabinoid therapy have found to be effective. In our view, appropriately prescribed dosage amounts, based on individual needs, drastically reduces or eliminates their dependence on many other more harmful prescription medications.
The proposed cutback, from ten to three grams daily, is to take effect May 21, 2017 and is "very disheartening to those who have served their country with the Canadian Armed Forces," says MFT spokesperson and co-founder Mike Southwell, a veteran of 17 years as a military engineer. "A veteran patient consumes an average of six grams of medical marijuana daily and many lives have been restored with this therapy. As an added result, many families are healing and rebuilding their relationships. To compound matters, there is practically no veteran who can afford the gap in coverage that these changes and the associated costs expose them to" said Southwell.
Southwell notes that most veterans have reduced both their dependence on opiate-based medicines and clinical visits to health care professionals for PTSD and pain management, as a direct result of cannabinoid therapy. "This could represent a significant cost savings over prescription medications and with minimal side effects." adds Southwell. "Veterans have become functioning and productive citizens once again, after being injured in the course of their military service. They are vitally interested in continuing their recovery from trauma. The government must reconsider."
Without their appropriate allocation of medical marijuana, veterans are at risk of descending back into harmful and abusive forms of self-medication, predicts Andrew Brown, President of MFT Ontario and a 13-year veteran of the Canadian Forces. "Suicides could increase." he warns. "Veteran Affairs Canada's arbitrary decision appears to be more of a "knee jerk reaction", while at the same time, seemingly ignoring data surrounding the decrease in pharmaceutical complications and related medical expenses. We spare no costs whatsoever in rescuing even one soldier from the battlefield when they are missing, wounded or trapped. When we come home injured, after having served our country, does the value of our lives decrease?"
The bedrock of MFT goes back to the founder's vision of supporting all the needs of veterans in Canada.
MFT hereby commits to all veteran patients that we will do anything in our power to safeguard you from any adverse effect of this decision as we continue our mission to reach every veteran in need of this life-saving medicine.

Canada House Wellness Inc.
Canada House is the parent company of MFT, The Longevity Project Corp., and Abba Medix Corp. The Company's goal is to become a marketplace leader through strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions to create a fully integrated medical marijuana marketplace. For more information please visit www.abbamedix.com, www.mftgroup.ca and www.plantsnotpills.ca.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements within this press release relating to the Company constitute "forward-looking statements", within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, business plans and/or objectives, sales programs, forecasts and projections, assumptions, expectations, and/or beliefs of future performance, are "forward-looking statements". Such "forward-looking statements" involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual and future events to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to regulatory changes, timeliness of government approvals for the granting of permits and licenses, changes in medical marijuana prices, actual operating performance of facilities, competition and other risks affecting the Company in particular and the medical marijuana industry generally. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Gerry Goldberg
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Canada House Wellness Group Inc.
1-844-696-3349

http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/veterans-group-marijuana-trauma-responds-cutbacks-updated-policy-on-medical-marijuana-2177995.htm

I can see it now....

We see that we are paying for 8 Oxycodone for you a day, Medical researchers have found this to much per person
as it cause constipation among Patients.

We therefore At Veterans Affairs will Now only re-reimburse you for 4 Oxycodone per day.

If your Chronic pain continues we will needs 20 pages of more stupid questions we are going to ask you Doctor
Over and over again, Hoping he drops you as a patients, and therefore can not get these forms back to us so we
VAC can Stop paying for any of your medication.

Vac Say, now, Please have a nice day.

Policy
From stupid Civilians who DO NOT have the problems Veterans have

JMO Heck anything to save money right.

they like to say Oh Oh we are spending X on medical Cannabis. But were is it that VAC says, by the way, we saved
X million on not paying for Oxycodone, Percocet ect ect, and all those other drugs veterans aren't on no more.
What they afraid to post what Less they have paid for those medications..

Here is the new VAC policy...................

REIMBURSEMENT POLICY FOR CANNABIS FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES
Issuing Authority: Director General, Policy and Research
Effective Date: November 22, 2016

Purpose
This policy provides direction on the reimbursement of cannabis for medical purposes.
General
Access to the use of cannabis for medical purposes has been mandated by Canada’s courts. Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations specify the conditions for authorization and legal possession. Cannabis is not an approved therapeutic product in Canada.
There have been limited trials which seem to support the use of cannabis in limited circumstances as an option after standard interventions are contraindicated or have been tried and have been unsuccessful and/or have yielded unacceptable adverse effects. Veterans Affairs Canada has heard from Veterans and their advocates that they believe cannabis helps them with their health problems. This information must be balanced with scientific evidence, sound clinical practice, and with the primary concern of the Department - the health and general well-being of Veterans and their families.
Recognizing that the use of cannabis for medical purposes continues to be an emerging practice, Veterans Affairs Canada will continue to monitor developments in research, and medical practice and experience, and adjust the policy provisions as may be required.
Authority
Subject to the provisions of this policy, reimbursement may be authorized for eligible Veterans and other qualified individuals in accordance with section 4 of the Veterans Health Care Regulations.
Eligibility
Veterans entitled to a Veterans Affairs Canada Disability Pension and/or Disability Award are eligible for the cost of treatment in respect of their pensioned/awarded condition (see Treatment in Respect of a Pensioned or Awarded Condition Policy). Certain Veterans may also be eligible for the cost of treatment for non-pensioned/awarded conditions to the extent the treatment is not available from the province/territory in which they reside (see Eligibility for Health Care Programs – Eligible Client Groups).
Policy
Veterans Affairs Canada may reimburse an eligible Veteran for the costs of cannabis for medical purposes, when the health care practitioner’s (defined in Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations as a medical practitioner or a nurse practitioner) authorization is in accordance with Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations. The authorization document completed by the health care practitioner indicates the amount of grams per day of dried marihuana.

Veterans Affairs Canada, requires the following documents to confirm the Veteran meets the requirements of Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations for the purposes of determining entitlement for reimbursement:
copy of the authorization document completed by the health care practitioner; and,
copy of the completed and confirmed registration document with a licensed producer.

Veterans Affairs Canada will only accept authorization from one health care practitioner at a time. More than one authorization may be considered, but the authorizations must be from the same health care practitioner.

Eligible forms of cannabis include all forms that are authorized by section 3(1) of Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations for sale by licensed producers (with the exception of seeds and plants). Currently, licensed producers may produce and sell dried and fresh marihuana, and cannabis oil.

The maximum daily Veterans Affairs Canada reimbursement limit is 3 grams per day of dried marihuana (or the equivalent in other eligible forms).

Requests for reimbursement for more than 3 grams of dried marihuana (or the equivalent in other eligible forms), will require additional information for consideration as set out in Annex A. This applies to those being reimbursed for more than 3 grams per day on the coming into force of this policy, and all new requests.

Veterans being reimbursed for cannabis for medical purposes on the release date of this policy may continue to be reimbursed at their current level for six months.

Veterans Affairs Canada will reimburse the Veteran based on a fixed rate per gram of marihuana, when authorized in its dried or fresh form or the same fixed rate per gram equivalent in cannabis oil. In other words, Veterans Affairs Canada will reimburse the Veteran at a fixed rate per gram whether taken in fresh or dried marihuana, or the equivalent in cannabis oil.

Veterans Affairs Canada does not reimburse the cost of cannabis for medical purposes when the Veteran purchases cannabis outside Canada. The legislative regime established by Health Canada for access to cannabis for medical purposes includes regulatory requirements for the safe production and distribution of cannabis, and for legal possession. Recognizing the complexity and variety of approaches internationally, the Department is not able to adequately ensure the same level of regulatory oversight for the safe production, authorization, distribution, and legalization of cannabis for medical purposes. The health and well-being of Canada’s Veterans is paramount, and the varied approaches to cannabis for medical purposes is of concern

Veterans Affairs Canada only reimburses the cost of cannabis for medical purposes when the product is purchased from a licensed producer (with the exception of seeds and plants). Canada has established a regulated system of licensed producers that ensures producers are meeting standards for quality and safety. This standardization is an essential consideration when determining whether to reimburse Veterans for cannabis for medical purposes. The health and well-being of Veterans is best ensured through accessing cannabis produced by the licensed producers authorized in accordance with Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations.

No fee is paid to the physician for the completion of the authorization document since VAC considers it to be covered in insured service fees. However, if the Department requires the health practitioner to complete additional documentation, an administrative fee may be paid.

Veterans Affairs Canada may deny approval of reimbursement when licensed producers are determined to be operating outside of the requirements of Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations, the requirements of this policy, and/or any approved provider criteria established by the Department and agreed to by the licensed producer.

Reimbursement for the cost of the purchase of a vaporizer may be authorized for eligible Veterans up to the established dollar limit. The purchase must be pre-authorized, and prescribed by a health practitioner. Veterans Affairs Canada may consider other “equipment” when the device is medically beneficial, subject to the provisions of the Medical Supplies policy.


Annex A
Exceptional Approval of More than 3 Grams

End of Life Treatment

Reimbursement may be authorized for more than 3 grams of dried marihuana or equivalent when confirmation is received from the treating physician that the Veteran is palliative. In end of life situations, documentation is not required from a medical specialist.
Palliative care is defined in the Palliative Care policy. The policy also includes additional considerations for Veterans requiring end of life care.
Other Exceptional Requests

In all cases, other than palliative circumstances as noted above, requests for reimbursement of more than 3 grams of dried marihuana or equivalent must be accompanied by additional documentation from at least one, and in some cases more than one, medical specialist. The required documentation from the medical specialist(s) must indicate:
the rationale for the use of more than 3 grams per day;
there are no contraindications to the use of marihuana; and
alternative treatments were found to be ineffective or contraindicated.

When authorization of cannabis for medical purposes is for chronic pain, additional documentation will be required from a medical specialist in the area of the treatment of chronic pain.

When authorization of cannabis for medical purposes is for psychiatric condition(s), additional documentation will be required from a psychiatrist.

When both chronic pain and a psychiatric diagnosis are present, additional documentation will be required from a medical specialist in chronic pain as well as from a psychiatrist. Both medical specialists must be in agreement for approval of reimbursement.

For any other health conditions, additional documentation will be required from a medical specialist with expertise in the diagnosed condition, including but not limited to chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, wasting syndrome, or loss of appetite in AIDS and cancer patients.


http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/policy/document/2461






Cheers

I see a lot of appeals in June/July/August/September

Here is the backgrounder.................

Cannabis for Medical Purposes: New Reimbursement Policy

In March 2016, the Minister of Veterans Affairs, the Honourable Kent Hehr, announced a review of VAC’s role in reimbursing Veterans for cannabis for medical purposes. The Spring 2016 Office of the Auditor General report on drug benefits made recommendations to Veterans Affairs Canada to better manage its drug benefits program in a way that considers the health and well-being of Veterans and cost containment.

The Department initiated an internal review in consultation with medical professionals, subject matter experts, licenced providers and Veteran beneficiaries with the following objectives:

reviewing the Veteran population's reimbursement data;
assessing VAC’s internal governance and compliance;
identifying concerns with Veteran health and well-being; and,
reviewing other benefits, services and programs that the Department is providing to Veterans authorized for cannabis for medical purposes.
The review’s recommendations include lowering the 10 gram per day limit for reimbursement and including fresh marijuana and cannabis oil.

Veterans Affairs Canada’s new reimbursement policy for Cannabis for Medical Purposes establishes a maximum three gram per day limit for cannabis. In response to feedback from Veterans and the internal review, the Department will now also reimburse Veterans for cannabis oil and fresh marijuana to the equivalent of three grams of dried marijuana per day. Veterans being reimbursed for more than three grams per day of dried marijuana may continue to be reimbursed at that level until May 21, 2017.

The decision to reimburse three grams per day was based on information from consultations and research. The Department brought together a panel of Canadian medical experts who recommended a very cautious approach to the use of cannabis for medical purposes with most indicating one to two grams per day as a reasonable amount for the vast majority of cases. VAC also reviewed current scientific evidence and consulted with Veterans, stakeholders and licensed producers. This decision is also consistent with Health Canada who indicates that the average Canadian is authorized 2.6 grams per day. Two other countries that had available research on marijuana for medical purposes included Israel and the Netherlands. Israel’s average use of cannabis is 1.5 grams per day and it is 0.68 grams per day in the Netherlands.

There will also be an exceptional circumstances process for Veterans whose health practitioner authorizes more than three grams per day of dried marijuana or its equivalent. The process will require additional documentation from medical specialists related to a Veteran’s specific needs. The opinion of the medical specialist must include the rationale for the use of more than three grams, confirmation that there are no contraindications, and an indication that alternative treatments were ineffective or contraindicated. Each claim will be reviewed on a case by case basis. This process is consistent with how the Department administers its other health care benefits.

Additionally, consistent with how the Department administers its other health care benefits, VAC is establishing a fixed rate of $8.50 per gram whether taken in dried or fresh marijuana or the equivalent in cannabis oil form. The fixed rate will ensure that what Veterans are charged, and the Department reimburses, is a fair market value price.

VAC completed a review of the advertised prices for cannabis for medical purposes to establish a rate that is based on fair market value and consistent with what other Canadians are paying. As part of its due diligence, the Department conducted a market analysis, consulted with licensed producers and reviewed the average, overall rates reimbursed.

Recognizing that there is limited evidence and research on cannabis for medical purposes, the Department will continue to monitor new developments in research and adjust policy. The Department will also establish an expert advisory committee of health and research professionals to monitor the effectiveness of the reimbursement policy and processes based on research and consultation. In addition, together with the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department will develop a research plan and conduct a study that will strengthen evidence on the effects of marijuana on the health of Veterans.

Timeline

2007 - Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) made the decision to reimburse one Veteran for cannabis for medical purposes on compassionate grounds.
Since that time, VAC has been reimbursing the cost of cannabis for medical purposes for Veterans in increasing numbers and at an increased cost.
2008 to 2014 - the Department provided reimbursement for the cost of cannabis for medical purposes to Veterans based on Section 4 of the Veterans Health Care Regulations (VHCRs) and in accordance with Health Canada’s Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMARs).
The MMARs provided limited access to marijuana for a number of conditions and circumstances as defined by Health Canada when authorized by a specialist only.
April 2014 - Health Canada introduced the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPRs) which removed limitations related to the authorization for specific conditions and the requirement for authorization by a specialist, amongst other changes; however, still required a medical authorization.
With the advent of these new regulations Veterans Affairs Canada subsequently experienced a significant increase in cannabis for medical purposes reimbursements.


Examples
A Veteran is currently reimbursed for 10 grams per day of dried marijuana. The Veteran will be reimbursed for 10 grams a day until 21 May 2017. After this date, the Veteran will be reimbursed for three grams per day. In order to be reimbursed for more, a specialist (e.g. a psychiatrist, pain specialist, oncologist) would have to submit, to Veterans Affairs Canada, a rationale for why more than three grams per day are necessary to treat the Veteran's condition.

A Veteran is currently reimbursed for three grams of dried marijuana per day. On November 22, 2016, the Veteran can switch to the equivalent of three grams of dried marijuana in the form of cannabis oil.

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1158619


Of note: The reference above "The MMARs provided limited access to marijuana for a number of conditions and circumstances as defined by Health Canada when authorized by a specialist only." This is incorrect for the MMAR if you had one of the conditions listed you only needed a general practitioner to sign off on application.


 


Cheers