(OTTAWA) An internal audit that exposed flaws in Ottawa’s administration of hundreds of millions of dollars in medicinal marijuana for veterans was met with astonishment and concern on Thursday by mental health professionals and veterans workers.
Posted yesterday at 2:43 p.m.
The authors of the audit report want more studies to be done on the benefits and risks of medicinal cannabis, especially for veterans with mental health issues.
They also recommend that the Department of Veterans Affairs do more monitoring of how this drug is administered, in order to protect veterans at risk, but also to better administer public funds.
The Canadian Press reported Wednesday on the quietly released internal audit report that found the Department of Veterans Affairs had virtually lost control of the program.
We also learn that the number of claims for medicinal marijuana from veterans has been increasing at an exponential rate in recent years.
Oliver Thorne of the Veterans Transition Network support group in British Columbia says the audit raises serious questions about how the program, which cost $150 million last year and is expected to cost $200, is being administered. million this year. He speaks of the “Far West” to describe the management of the federal program.
While acknowledging the potential benefits of medical marijuana and admitting some limitations to auditing, Thorne is most concerned that ex-servicemen seem to be asking for more and more cannabis.
He believes this raises questions about the effectiveness and long-term viability of this program, and points to the need for more studies and guidelines on the use of medicinal marijuana. Mr. Thorne also believes that other forms of assistance, such as psychological support, could be considered to help veterans who need it.