Medical marijuana therapy program to help seniors: Blackburn News Canada

Dr. Blake Pearson says, “In my clinic daily, I see the benefits of THC and CBD, and in a continuing care facility we see patients suffering from chronic pain, sleep disorders, and dementia-related anxiety. I think it’s a natural fit to try it out and hopefully reduce some of the polypharmacy going on in those types of settings." Full article.

Condo boards urged to revisit bylaws in anticipation of marijuana legalization in Canada: Global News

Global News Canada reports that with marijuana legalization expected later this year, condo boards are being urged to revisit their bylaws in anticipation.

The president of the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) North Alberta Chapter said legalization could make some bylaws outdated. Full Article.

Research: Simplified guidelines for prescribing medical cannabinoids in primary care, Canadian Family Physician

The new 2018 guideline, published in the official journal of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, suggests that clinicians could consider medical cannabinoids only for refractory neuropathic pain and refractory pain in palliative care, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and spasticity in multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury after reasonable trials of standard therapies have failed.

SunLife Financial to add medical marijuana to group health insurance plans: Financial Post

Sun Life Financial Inc. is adding medical marijuana as an option for its group benefits plans, marking an industry shift and the latest sign of growing public acceptance of cannabis.

The Toronto-based insurer’s chief executive Dean Connor said the move was influenced by rising interest from Sun Life’s employer clients, “Medical marijuana has become a very important part of their treatment program and pain management program,” said Connor, referencing patients who have cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or those requiring palliative care. Full article here.

Sarnia doctor using medical marijuana to treat nursing home residents: Sarnia Journal

Dr. Blake Pearson is using oil produced from cannabis to treat nursing home patients with a wide range of disorders, including arthritis, degenerative discs, sleep disorders and the treatment of chronic pain.

“I’ve been able to lower patient opiate doses in some cases,” the Corunna native said.

“We’ve been able to take people off three or four different medications and replace them with… some form of cannabis drops.” Full article. 

Research: Cannabinoid may be first drug for sleep apnea, Sleep - Official Publication of the Sleep Research Society (Jan 2018)

"Dronabinol, a synthetic form of the cannabis compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), shows efficacy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, possibly representing a first pharmacologic approach to the tough-to-treat, but potentially serious, condition." Summary here. Full study originally published in the January 2018 issue of Sleep. 

Research: Pharmacological management of chronic neuropathic pain, Canadian Pain Society

The Canadian Pain Society has advanced cannabinoid therapy from a fourth-line (2007) to the third-line (2014) recommendation, citing the following evidence:

  • Since 2006, seven high quality studies investigated cannabinoid therapy in neuropathic pain, and all but one of these studies had positive results.
  • Mucosal spray of 50/50 mixture of THC/CBD provided significant pain relief for patients with multiple sclerosis.
  • One trial found that nabilone was effective for pain relief in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy, with improved sleep and overall quality of life. 
  • There is increasing evidence of the benefits of cannabinoid therapy in managing neuropathic pain: overall NNT of 3.4.