At the age of 25 I was diagnosed with crohnes colitis. I have run the gambit of pharmaceuticals to control the symptoms and pain associated with this disease to find that the best control and pain relief comes from cannabis. Cannabis doesn't have the nasty side effects as does steroids or other immuno-suppressants.
Marijuana is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known. No one has ever died from an overdose unlike Opiates and it has a wide variety of medical applications:
Relief from nausea and increase of appetite;
Reduction of interocular eye pressure;
Reduction of muscle spasms;
Marijuana is frequently beneficial in the treatment of the following conditions:
Tenosynovitis - the tender swelling of the rope or cord like structures (tendons) which connect muscles to the bones
AIDS. Marijuana can reduce the nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite caused by the ailment itself and by various AIDS medications.
Glaucoma. Marijuana can reduce interlobular pressure, thereby alleviating the pain and slowing -- and sometimes stopping -- the progress of the condition. (Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. It damages vision by increasing eye pressure over time.)
Cancer. Marijuana can stimulate the appetite and alleviate nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects of chemotherapy treatment.
Multiple Sclerosis. Marijuana can limit the muscle pain and spasticity caused by the disease, as well as relieving tremor and unsteadiness of gait. (Multiple sclerosis is the leading cause of neurological disability among young and middle-aged adults in the United States.)
Epilepsy. Marijuana can prevent epileptic seizures in some patients.
IBD, Crohnes, Colitis. Research suggests that cannabis is effective in treating the symptoms of these GI disorders because it works on the endogenous cannabinoid receptors in the digestive tract, calming spasm, assuaging pain, and improving motility. Cannabis has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties13-15 and recent research has demonstrated that cannabinoids are immune system modulators, either enhancing or suppressing immune response.
Chronic Pain. Marijuana can alleviate the chronic, often debilitating pain caused by myriad disorders and injuries.
Many patients also report that marijuana is useful for treating arthritis, migraine, menstrual cramps, alcohol and opiate addiction, and depression and other debilitating mood disorders.
Marijuana could be helpful for millions of patients around the world.
People currently suffering from any of the conditions mentioned above, for whom the legal medical options have proven unsafe or ineffective, have two options:
Continue to suffer from the ailment itself; or
Illegally obtain marijuana -- and risk suffering consequences such as:
an insufficient supply due to the prohibition-inflated price or scarcity;
impure, contaminated, or chemically grown marijuana;
arrests, fines, court costs, property forfeiture, incarceration, probation, and criminal records.
Background
Prior to 1937, at least 27 medicines containing marijuana were legally available in the United States. Many were made by well-known pharmaceutical firms that still exist today, such as Squibb (now Bristol-Myers Squibb) and Eli Lilly. The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 federally prohibited marijuana. Dr. William C. Woodward of the American Medical Association opposed the Act, testifying that prohibition would ultimately prevent the medicinal uses of marijuana.
The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 placed all illicit and prescription drugs into five "schedules" (categories). Marijuana was placed in Schedule I, defining it as having a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medicinal use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
This definition simply does not apply to marijuana. Of course, at the time of the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana had been prohibited for more than three decades. Its medicinal uses forgotten, marijuana was considered a dangerous and addictive narcotic.
A substantial increase in the number of recreational users in the 1970s contributed to the rediscovery of marijuana's medicinal uses:
Many scientists studied the health effects of marijuana and inadvertently discovered marijuana's astonishing medicinal history in the process.
Many who used marijuana recreationally also suffered from diseases for which marijuana is beneficial. By fluke, they discovered its therapeutic usefulness.
As the word spread, more and more patients started self-medicating with marijuana. However, marijuana's Schedule I status bars doctors from prescribing it and severely curtails research.
Luckily I live in BC Canada where I have attained a medical marihuana card through Health Canada (MMAR) and I am allowed the use of 6 grams of either sativa or indica a day.
(MMAR)
AUTHORIZATION TO POSSESS
Authorized Activity
2. The holder of an authorization to possess is authorized to
possess dried marihuana, in accordance with the authorization, for
the medical purpose of the holder.
Eligibility for Authorization to Possess
3. A person is eligible to be issued an authorization to possess
only if the person is an individual ordinarily resident in Canada.
Application for Authorization to Possess
4. (1) A person seeking an authorization to possess dried
marihuana for a medical purpose shall submit an application to the
Minister.
(2) An application under subsection (1) shall contain
(a) a declaration of the applicant;
(b) a medical declaration that is made
(i) in the case of an application based on a category 1 symptom,
by the medical practitioner of the applicant, or
(ii) in the case of an application based on a category 2 or 3
symptom, by a specialist;
(c) if the application is based on a category 3 symptom, a second
medical declaration made by another specialist, that supports the
medical declaration made under subparagraph (b)(ii); and
(d) two copies of a current photograph of the applicant.
Applicant's Declaration
5. (1) The declaration of the applicant under paragraph 4(2)(a)
must indicate
(a) the applicant's name, date of birth and gender;
(b) the full address of the place where the applicant ordinarily
resides as well as the applicant's telephone number and, if
applicable, facsimile transmission number and e-mail address;
(c) the mailing address of the place referred to in paragraph (b),
if different;
(d) if the place referred to in paragraph (b) is an establishment
that is not a private residence, the type and name of the
establishment;
(e) that the authorization is sought in respect of marihuana
either
(i) to be produced by the applicant or a designated person, in
which case the designated person must be named, or
(ii) to be obtained under the Narcotic Control Regulations, in
which case the licensed dealer who produces or imports the
marihuana must be named;
(f) that the applicant is aware that no notice of compliance has
been issued under the Food and Drugs Act concerning the safety and
effectiveness of marihuana as a drug and that the applicant
understands the significance of that fact; and
(g) that the applicant has discussed the risks of using marihuana
with the medical practitioner providing the medical declaration
under paragraph 4(2)(b), and consents to using it for the
recommended medical purpose.
(2) The declaration must be dated and signed by the applicant
attesting that the information contained in it is correct and
complete.
Medical Declarations
6. (1) The medical declaration under paragraph 4(2)(b) must
indicate, in all cases
(a) the medical practitioner's or specialist's name, business
address and telephone number, provincial medical licence number
and, if applicable, facsimile transmission number and e-mail
address;
(b) the applicant's medical condition, the symptom that is
associated with that condition or its treatment and that is the
basis for the application and whether the symptom is a category 1,
2 or 3 symptom;
(c) the daily dosage of dried marihuana, in grams, and the form
and route of administration, recommended for the applicant; and
(d) the period for which the use of marihuana is recommended, if
less than 12 months.
(2) In the case of a category 1 symptom, the medical declaration
must also indicate that
(a) the applicant suffers from a terminal illness;
(b) all conventional treatments for the symptom have been tried,
or have at least been considered;
(c) the recommended use of marihuana would mitigate the symptom;
(d) the benefits from the applicant's recommended use of marihuana
would outweigh any risks associated with that use; and
(e) the medical practitioner is aware that no notice of compliance
has been issued under the Food and Drug Regulations concerning the
safety and effectiveness of marihuana as a drug.
(3) In the case of a category 2 symptom, the medical declaration
must also indicate that
(a) the specialist practices in an area of medicine, to be named
by the specialist in the declaration, that is relevant to the
treatment of the applicant's medical condition;
(b) all conventional treatments for the symptom have been tried,
or have at least been considered, and that each of them is
medically inappropriate because
(i) the treatment was ineffective,
(ii) the applicant has experienced an allergic reaction to the
drug used as a treatment, or there is a risk that the applicant
would experience cross-sensitivity to a drug of that class,
(iii) the applicant has experienced an adverse drug reaction to
the drug used as a treatment, or there is a risk that the
applicant would experience an adverse drug reaction based on a
previous adverse drug reaction to a drug of the same class,
(iv) the drug used as a treatment has resulted in an undesirable
interaction with another medication being used by the applicant,
or there is a risk that this would occur,
(v) the drug used as a treatment is contra-indicated, or
(vi) the drug under consideration as a treatment has a similar
chemical structure and pharmacological activity to a drug that
has been ineffective for the applicant;
(c) the recommended use of marihuana would mitigate the symptom;
(d) the benefits from the applicant's recommended use of marihuana
would outweigh any risks associated with that use, including risks
associated with the long-term use of marihuana; and
(e) the specialist is aware that no notice of compliance has been
issued under the Food and Drug Regulations concerning the safety
and effectiveness of marihuana as a drug.
(4) In the case of a category 3 symptom, the medical declaration
must also indicate
(a) the matters referred to in subsection (3); and
(b) all conventional treatments that have been tried or considered
for the symptom and the reasons, from among those mentioned in
paragraph (3)(b), why the specialist considers that those
treatments are medically inappropriate.
7. In the case of a category 3 symptom, the second medical
declaration under paragraph 4(2)(c) must indicate
(a) the specialist's name, business address and telephone number,
provincial medical licence number and, if applicable, facsimile
transmission number and e-mail address;
(b) that the specialist practices in an area of medicine, to be
named by the specialist in the declaration, that is relevant to
the treatment of the applicant's medical condition;
(c) that the specialist is aware that the application is in
relation to the mitigation of the symptom identified under
paragraph 6(1)(b) and that the symptom is associated with the
medical condition identified under that paragraph or its
treatment;
(d) that the specialist has reviewed the applicant's medical file
and the information provided under paragraph 6(4)(b) and has
discussed the applicant's case with the specialist providing that
information and agrees with the statements referred to in
paragraphs 6(3)(c) and (d); and
(e) that the specialist is aware that no notice of compliance has
been issued under the Food and Drug Regulations concerning the
safety and effectiveness of marihuana as a drug.
8. A medical declaration under section 6 or 7 must be dated and
signed by the medical practitioner or specialist making it and must
attest that the information contained in the declaration is correct
and complete.
Dosage In Excess of 5 Grams
9. If the daily dosage recommended under paragraph 6(1)(c) is more
than five grams, the medical practitioner or specialist providing the
medical declaration under paragraph 4(2)(b) must also indicate that
(a) the risks associated with an elevated daily dosage of
marihuana have been considered, including risks with respect to
the effect on the applicant's cardio-vascular, pulmonary and
immune systems and psychomotor performance, as well as potential
drug dependency; and
(b) the benefits from the applicant's use of marihuana according
to the recommended daily dosage would outweigh the risks
associated with that dosage, including risks associated with the
long-term use of marihuana.
Photograph
10. The photograph required under paragraph 4(2)(d) must clearly
identify the applicant and must
(a) show a full front-view of the applicant's head and shoulders
against a plain contrasting background;
(b) have dimensions of at least 43 mm × 54 mm (1 11/16 inches × 2
1/8 inches) and not more than 50 mm × 70 mm ( 2 inches × 2 3/4
inches), and has a view of the applicant's head that is at least
30 mm (1.375 inches) in length;
(c) show the applicant's face unobscured by sunglasses or any
other object; and
(d) be certified, on the reverse side, by a medical practitioner
treating the applicant, to be an accurate representation of the
applicant.
Issuance of Authorization to Possess
11. (1) Subject to section 12, if the requirements of sections 4
to 10 are met, the Minister shall issue to the applicant an
authorization to possess for the medical purpose mentioned in the
application, and shall provide notice of the authorization to the
medical practitioner or specialist who made the medical declaration
under paragraph 4(2)(b).
(2) The authorization shall indicate
(a) the name, date of birth and gender of the holder of the
authorization;
(b) the full address of the place where the holder ordinarily
resides;
(c) the authorization number;
(d) the name and category of the symptom;
(e) the medical condition, or its treatment, with which the
symptom is associated;
(f) the maximum quantity of dried marihuana, in grams, that the
holder may possess at any time;
(g) the date of issue; and
(h) the date of expiry.
(3) The maximum quantity of dried marihuana referred to in
paragraph (2)(f) or resulting from an amendment under subsection
20(1) or 22(3) is the amount determined according to the following
formula:
A × 30
where A is the daily dosage of dried marihuana, in grams, recommended
for the holder under paragraph 6(1)(c), 19(1)(c) or 22(2)(b),
whichever applies.
Grounds for Refusal
12. (1) The Minister shall refuse to issue an authorization to
possess if:
(a) the applicant is not eligible under section 3;
(b) any information, statement or other item included in the
application is false or misleading;
(c) the application involves a category 3 symptom and either all
conventional treatments have not been tried or considered or they
are considered to be medically inappropriate for any reason not
mentioned in paragraph 6(3)(b); or
(d) the person mentioned in the authorization application as a
licensed dealer under the Narcotic Control Regulations does not
have a valid licence to distribute marihuana under those
Regulations.
(2) If the Minister proposes to refuse to issue an authorization
to possess, the Minister shall
(a) notify the applicant in writing of the reason for the proposed
refusal; and
(b) give the applicant an opportunity to be heard.
Expiry of Authorization
13. An authorization to possess expires 12 months after its date
of issue or, if a shorter period is specified in the application for
the authorization under paragraph 6(1)(d), at the end of that period.
Renewal of Authorization to Possess
14. (1) An application to renew an authorization to possess shall
be made to the Minister by the holder of the authorization and must
include
(a) the authorization number; and
(b) the material required under sections 4 to 10, excluding, in
the case of a category 3 symptom, the second medical declaration
mentioned in paragraph 4(2)(c).
(2) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(b), a photograph referred to
in paragraph 4(2)(d) is required only with every second renewal
application.
15. If an authorization to possess for a category 1 symptom has
expired and, within 12 months after the expiry, a new application
with respect to the category 1 symptom is made by the person who was
the holder of the expired authorization, the new application is
considered to be an application to renew the expired authorization.
16. An authorization to possess for a category 1 symptom may be
renewed only once for that symptom; however, an application for an
authorization to possess may be made for that symptom as a category 2
or 3 symptom, whichever applies.
17. Subject to section 18, if an application complies with section
14, the Minister shall renew the authorization to possess for the
medical purpose mentioned in the application.
18. The Minister shall refuse to renew an authorization to possess
(a) for any reason referred to in section 12; or
(b) in the case of an authorization to possess for a category 1
symptom, if the authorization has already been renewed for that
symptom.
Amendment of Authorization to Possess
19. (1) An application to amend an authorization to possess shall
be made to the Minister by the holder of the authorization when a
change occurs with respect to
(a) the symptom mentioned in the authorization;
(b) the medical condition, or its treatment, with which the
symptom is associated; or
(c) the recommended daily dosage of dried marihuana, if the new
dosage is in excess of five grams.
(2) The application must include
(a) the authorization number;
(b) the requested amendment and supporting reasons; and
(c) the material required under sections 4 to 10.
20. (1) Subject to section 21, if an application complies with
section 19, the Minister shall allow the amendment.
(2) If the authorization to possess is amended under subsection
(1) with respect to the recommended dosage of dried marihuana, the
Minister shall, if applicable, amend the licence to produce that was
issued on the basis of the authorization to reflect the change in the
maximum number of marihuana plants that the holder may produce and
the maximum quantity of dried marihuana that the holder may keep.
21. The Minister shall refuse to amend an authorization to possess
for any reason referred to in section 12.
Notice of Change of Information
22. (1) The holder of an authorization to possess shall, within 10
days after the occurrence, notify the Minister in writing of a change
in
(a) the holder's name;
(b) the holder's address of ordinary residence and mailing
address, if different; or
(c) the daily dosage of dried marihuana recommended under
paragraph 6(1)(c), if the new dosage is not in excess of five
grams.
(2) The notice of change must be accompanied
(a) in the case of a change under paragraph (1)(a), by proof of
the change;
(b) in the case of a change under paragraph (1)(c), by a
statement, dated and signed by the medical practitioner or
specialist of the holder of the authorization, certifying the new
daily dosage recommended for the holder; and
(c) if a designated-person production licence has been issued on
the basis of the authorization, by a statement indicating the name
of the designated person who is the holder of the licence.
(3) On receiving a notice that complies with subsection (2), the
Minister shall amend the authorization to reflect the change stated
in the notice.
(4) If the authorization to possess is amended under
subsection (3) with respect to the name or address of the holder of
the authorization, the Minister shall, if applicable, amend
accordingly the licence to produce that was issued on the basis of
the authorization.
(5) If the authorization to possess is amended under
subsection (3) with respect to the recommended dosage of dried
marihuana, the Minister shall, if applicable, amend the licence to
produce that was issued on the basis of the authorization to reflect
the change in the maximum number of marihuana plants that the holder
may produce and the maximum quantity of dried marihuana that the
holder may keep.
Providing Assistance to Holder
23. While in the presence of the holder of an authorization to
possess and providing assistance in the administration of the daily
dosage of marihuana to the holder, the person providing the
assistance may, for the purpose of providing the assistance, possess
a quantity of dried marihuana not exceeding the recommended daily
dosage for the holder.
Contact
Bruce Erickson
Office of Controlled Substances
Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Programme
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Address Locator: 3503D
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1B9
Telephone Number: (613) 957-2826
Fax Number: (613) 946-4224
Electronic mail: bruce_erickson@hc-sc.gc.ca
