Medical Marijuana: Canada's Regulations, Pharmacology, and Social Policy

Abstract

Introduction: This paper gives an introduction to important aspects of Canada's medical marijuana policy. It reviews the history and the physiological effects of marijuana, as well as four social theories that have contributed to the traditional view of marijuana use as “drug abuse.” Methods: A PubMed search was conducted using the search words “medical marijuana Canada” for the period 1980 to 2002. Articles were included if they contained information on marijuana's physiological effects or social issues. An internet search using www.Google.com and the same search words was conducted. Websites were included if they contained information on medical marijuana policy in Canada. Secondary literature provided background on social theory. Setting: Canada's federal policy on medical marijuana. Results and Discussion: In 2001, Canada became the first nation to implement a national policy allowing for the use and paid supply of marijuana for medicinal purposes, and this policy generated both vigorous debate and general public support. The new policy has been accompanied by a cooperative research effort between Health Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to prove marijuana's therapeutic efficacy.