Pharmacists call on Ottawa to ensure access to medical cannabis when drug is legalized

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) and its Quebec counterpart, the AQPP, want more support for patients who use medical cannabis. Specifically, pharmacists want assurances that there's a clear differentiation between the recreational and medical cannabis streams, with incentives for patients to remain in the medical cannabis stream. Appearing before a Senate committee to discuss Bill C-45 that would legalize cannabis, pharmacists expressed the concern that the proposed legislation would result in recreational users having better access to the drug than patients who require cannabis for medical purposes. Pharmacists contend if easier access pushes patients to the recreational cannabis stream, they risk losing all medical oversight and increase their chances of complications.