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4 May, 2021
Un tercio de los pacientes de cáncer de Canadá consume cannabis
13 May, 2021A report from 2007-2016 states that one third of Canadian cancer patients use cannabis. The research, called “Cannabis use amongst Canadian adults with cancer (2007-2016): results from a national survey”, used the information given by 4667 cancer patients.
Cannabis seems to play a role in relieving symptoms and side effects of cancer treatments. The most common symptoms are loss of appetite and pain. Common side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (cancer treatments) are nausea and vomiting.
THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, can help relieve pain, nausea and inflammation. It also increases appetite.
CBD, a non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis, slows tumor growth, reduces tumor invasion and induces tumor cell death in animal models of cancer. CBD also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Canada cannabis legalization
Cannabis had been a forbidden substance since its inclusion in the Opium and Narcotic Act in 1926. But in 1997, a 44 year Toronto old man named Terrence Parker brought some change. He won a 23-year court battle for his right to use cannabis to control his epileptic seizures. After years of charges for possession, a judge finally ruled that people must be able to access necessary medical treatment without fear of arrest.
Parker became the first Canadian to be exempted from prosecution for growing or having marijuana.
Cannabis seems to play a role in relieving symptoms and side effects of cancer treatments. The most common symptoms are loss of appetite and pain. Common side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (cancer treatments) are nausea and vomiting.
In 2001, the Marijuana Medical Access Regulations were enacted. This was a system to regulate the medicinal use of marijuana. It was directed to patients of severe conditions or terminal illnesses. Medicinal marihuana was legalized.
In the 2010s there was a proliferation of illegal cannabis dispensaries.
In 2015 Vancouver passed laws forcing these dispensaries to apply for licenses. Later that year, a liberal government was elected. Justin Trudeau became the Prime Minister under the promise of legalizing recreational marijuana. He wanted to fix a failed system and help remove the criminal element linked to the drug.
Trudeau’s mother had been charged for possession in the 1980s and he was determined to grant pardons to people convicted for cannabis possession.
In 2018, recreational marijuana was regulated and legalized under the Cannabis Act. A big ambition of this act was to expedit about 250.000 pardons for cannabis possession. Unfortunately, by April of 2020, only 238 pardons had been approved.
Law enforcement have turned a blind eye and softened their pressure on drug possession. The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police is calling to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs for personal consumption. With the ongoing opioid epidemic, this proposal seems to be up to date.
Medical use of cannabis in Canada
Cannabis might be prescribed by a health practitioner under several health conditions and only when they have not responded to conventional medical treatments. These symptoms or conditions are:
- Severe refractory nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy
- Loss of appetite and body weight in cancer patients and patients with HIV/AIDS
- Pain and muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis
- Chronic non-cancer pain (neuropathic)
- Severe refractory cancer-associated pain
- Insomnia and depressed mood associated with chronic diseases (HIV/AIDS, chronic non-cancer pain)
- Symptoms encountered in the palliative/end-of-life care settings
Canada keeps embracing Mother Nature. In August 2020, four patients who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer were granted end of life psychotherapy from psilocybin, the psychoactive component in mushrooms. This substance can help soothe distress about death. Four months afterwards, Health Canada allowed 16 health professionals to use the drug to develop therapies.
Health Canada cannabis numbers
Since 2017, Health Canada runs the Canadian Cannabis Survey (CCS). The goal of the CCS is to get information about habits and behaviours related to cannabis use. Here are some numbers from the 2020 survey:
Habits. The average age of initiating use is 22 years. The average number of plants is 3. 54% report using cannabis 3 days per month or less, and 18% daily. The average spent on recreational marijuana is 67$ per month.
Medical cannabis. 14% of Canadians above 16 years old indicate that they used cannabis for medical purposes. 24% of them used a prescription. The majority chose for higher CBD levels. The average spent on medical marijuana was 93$ per month.
Perception. 66% felt daily or almost daily cannabis use can increase the risk of mental health problems. 77% agreed that they had enough trustworthy information.
COVID-19. 56% reported using the same amount of cannabis during the pandemic, while 22% reported using more and 22% using less.
