SAY NO TO MARIJUANA

A medical committee is recommending medical marijuana not be used in David
Thompson Health Region facilities.

The pharmacy and therapeutics committee was asked to look into medicinal
marijuana after the federal government approved its use in April, but
provided no guidelines for hospitals.

'They made the recommendation, based upon available evidence, that medical
marijuana not be used in our facility,' said Dr. Dave Dawson, the health
region's vice-president of medicine.

The region's medical advisory committee agreed.

The palliative care committee is also looking into the issue, but has not
yet reported back.

Recommendations will be forwarded to a senior management committee for
their recommendation. The health region board will make the final decision.

At least two patients admitted to the hospital were legally entitled to
smoke marijuana under government regulations, which came into effect after
July 30. They were asked to puff in the normal smoking areas.

Dr. Robert Halse, chief of medical staff, said medical research has shown
that marijuana is not as useful as some expected.

'At best, it was a weak pain killer.'

There is no evidence to suggest medicinal marijuana is better than existing
drugs.

Halse said the federal government should have done more research before
approving marijuana use.

'I think they probably could have had more consultation with medical
associations, both nationally and provincially, before setting up the
system they did,' he said.

Dawson said there is little information for doctors to go by when
prescribing marijuana.

Standard doses have not been determined.

The lack of clinical guidelines makes it difficult for doctors to advise
patients about the drug. The Canadian and Alberta medical associations do
not support medicinal marijuana regulations.

Any ban on medical marijuana use by the health region would only apply to
its facilities, Dawson said.

'We're not dealing with the matter of physicians prescribing it,' he said.
Dawson couldn't predict when the region's senior management committee would
make its recommendation.

Under the federal regulations, people suffering from severe forms of
arthritis have the right to possess and smoke marijuana legally if they can
prove they can't be treated with other drugs to alleviate relentless pain.
The regulations also allow terminally ill people as well as those with
AIDS, multiple sclerosis, spinal-cord injuries, epilepsy and other serious
conditions to have the drug prescribed if it eases their symptoms.