MDs BOOST DOSAGES OF PRESCRIBED POT

Health Canada's Study Also Finds the Data Surprised Most Doctors When
They Were Told

OTTAWA -- Canadian doctors have been increasing daily dosages of
marijuana for patients using cannabis for medical purposes, Health
Canada reports.

The increase in prescribed dosages is noted in a recent report on the
views of physicians regarding the use of marijuana, adding that this
information "surprised" most doctors when they were told during interviews.

It said the doctors identified seven "logical" explanations for the
trend, including the perception that Health Canada marijuana is "not
as potent" as that produced and grown by patients or their suppliers.

"Higher doses of Health Canada marijuana for medical purposes may be
warranted to achieve the same result obtainable through more potent
strains," added the report.

Completed by Les etudes de Marche Createc, the study found physicians
were unclear about Health Canada's maximum dosage recommendation,
stating that "not one participant was able to guess the maximum
level." For most doctors, the report said, overdose or dosage beyond
an "optimal" limit was not a concern or even a consideration.

The study found unanimous agreement and even "enthusiastic support"
among doctors for Health Canada to begin supplying dried marijuana to
pharmacists trained to dispense it to patients, although they
suggested that the quality be improved and the price be reduced while
insuring that medical insurance programs cover the cost.

The reporting of the so-called trend follows Health Canada's campaign
last summer to keep doses below five grams which included postings on
its website referring to studies which indicated that most medical
users need only one to three grams daily.

Other explanations for rising dosages offered by the doctors during
the focus groups included observations that no guidelines on a common
measurement standard -- "puff, joint versus gram" -- forcing them to
rely on their patients for dosage information.

The doctors also pointed out that dosage is "unique" for each patient
and, for example, addiction ceases to be a factor when a terminal
patient is involved.

Patients also develop "a tolerance and the medication decreases in
effectiveness, making a higher dose warranted."

The study, which was completed in December, was based on one-on-one
telephone interviews, lasting about 45 minutes, with 30 physicians
randomly selected from seven provinces and one territory. Half of the
interviews were conducted with doctors in Quebec while none was
secured in Manitoba, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Yukon and Nunavut.