The BC College of Physicians and Surgeons discourages doctors from prescribing marijuana as medicine, Health Canada has a federal legislation and a national framework that permits it. Sick people wishing to use marijuana to ease their diseases and disorders are caught in the middle.
"I personally feel, and this is just me, that general practitioners (GPs) are warming to the idea," said Eunice, a Prince George sufferer who has a license to grow, possess and ingest marijuana to combat a chronic illness. Her full name was withheld due to fears of criminals targeting her home-based garden.
"And the doctors I have dealt with that aren't already helping out, I feel are still blocked about the idea," said Hugo, a Prince George man with the same set of permits to help his terminal cancer condition.
They know each other, and a few others in the area who are among Canada's medical marijuana users. Their understanding is there are 29 people in Prince George with legal licenses to grow pot (only a specific amount in specific conditions), and 47 people who can possess and ingest.
There is no association, and they would like to gather one together so their voices can have more impact on the medical community.
"We are concerned about this community, because we know there are doctors who are reluctant to prescribe it, and that means a lot of patients who could be helped aren't getting help," said Eunice.
"And what about communities around Prince George where it's hard enough to get a doctor at all, let alone one who will be open to medical marijuana."
Neither Eunice nor Hugo smoke their pot, they ingest it baked into cookies.
"I have found the adverse effects of pharmaceuticals to be killer," said Hugo.
"If you'd asked me two and a half years ago about me taking marijuana of any kind I'd have told you you were crazy. It wasn't part of my life. It wasn't on my radar. I wish I'd gotten it from day one, after my cancer was discovered. Part of what I was prescribed at first was morphine. That stuff will kill you. The side effects almost weren't worth it."
Doctors specializing in cancer treatment and other severe illnesses are more open to marijuana's benefits, Hugo said.
The roadblocks are at the GP level - family doctors.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons may be playing a role in that cool reception.
When asked by The Citizen about the college's position on medical marijuana, a written statement was provided stating, "Many alleged medical benefits of smoked marijuana are currently still unproven and are based on anecdotal information. Few reliable published studies are available on the benefits of marijuana in its smoked form."
The statement went on to downplay its medicinal properties and warned of legal liabilities that could come back to haunt a doctor who prescribed marijuana, should a patient react badly to it.
The Citizen attempted to reach representatives from both the Northern Medical Society and Northern Health for comment. Both entities' representatives declined to speak on the topic, citing the topic being outside their realm of expertise.
A repository of information for patients and doctors is available at www.medicalmarijuana.ca.
Anyone who legally grows or uses medical marijuana can email inquiries to Hugo and Eunice at [email protected].
