The #CoverCannabis Project: Janet's Story

Need another reason why medicinal cannabis should be covered? Take a look at this amazing story. After just a couple of weeks on cannabinoid therapy, my patient has her severe fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis pain under control and has been able to sleep through the night for the first time in NINE years! You’ve heard me say it a million times, but a good night’s sleep goes a long way in reducing pain. Oh and we’ve been able to wean her opioid pain medication too.

Grateful to all my patients who have shared their story to further this important cause: #CoverCannabis

The #CoverCannabis Project: The Sarnia Journal

“The unjust part of it is that we have guidelines to switch people off opiates, and patients want to do this. But when they have to choose between groceries or medication that is covered – but possibly more harmful – they usually go for the medication that’s covered.”

Huge thanks to the Sarnia Journal for helping to raise awareness of the #CoverCannabis movement. We’re really starting to gain some momentum and are grateful to everyone who is helping us spread the word and sharing their own stories. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your experience on social, e-mail me at info@pearsonhealth.com and we can help you share it anonymously. These are the stories that will make change happen.

Full article available here.

The #CoverCannabis Project: Global News Interview with Patient Kelly

I challenge anyone to listen to my patient Kelly’s story and explain why her medical cannabis should not be covered. Full interview here: https://bit.ly/3ao2lPw

Kelly went from taking 17 drugs, including heavy narcotics like fentanyl, percocet, and oxycontin, sleeping pills like zopiclone, and biologic medications that suppress the immune system, to just her thyroid medication and her medical cannabis.

Not only is it much safer to be on fewer medications - there’s a huge cost benefit to insurers.

Cannabinoid therapy is saving Kelly’s private insurance provider thousands of dollars a year, now that she’s on SIXTEEN fewer covered meds. Not to mention the direct cost savings to #OHIP through reduced doctor visits and avoiding the hospital due to potential drug interactions. But despite all this, she has to pay out-of-pocket for the only therapy that has ever worked.

Someone please explain this to me. Or better yet, public and private policymakers, please contact me to shed some light on this for you. Truly - I’d be happy to collaborate with you.

The #CoverCannabis Project: Another Day, Another Patient Unable To Afford Medical Cannabis

Another day, another e-mail from a patient who can no longer afford to continue on a medical treatment that is safer and more effective than anything else they’ve been on because they can’t afford it. This should make everyone who believes in universal healthcare furious.

Opioid Prescribing in Canada Following the Legalization of Cannabis

For anyone out there who still needs to be convinced that cannabis can reduce opioid prescribing AND reduce public and private healthcare costs, here’s a brand new Canadian study (linked here) that I was fortunate to be a part of.

Our findings support the hypothesis that easier access to cannabis for pain may reduce opioid use for both public and private drug plans.

Overall the findings are very encouraging, although I do worry that patients are increasingly turning to the non-medical cannabis system for access. While cannabis has a superior safety profile compared to most other medications, there are contraindications & drug interactions that patients need to be aware of. Working with a licensed healthcare professional is crucial to ensuring patient safety--particularly when you’re talking about weaning things like opioids, benzodiazepines, etc.

This is yet another reason why we need to #CoverCannabis in Canada for patients who could benefit. Please help us continue to spread the word by sharing your own #CoverCannabis stories on social or sharing this post. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

The #CoverCannabis Project: Business of Cannabis Interview

I’m so grateful for the outpouring of support The #CoverCannabis Project has been receiving from all of you! It’s going to take a lot of noise and debate on this topic to make change happen - but I know we’re up for the challenge!

If you haven’t heard about The #CoverCannabis Project yet - or want more info - check out this quick conversation I shared with Jay from Business of Cannabis earlier this week. I really appreciate all the media who have been helping us to spread the word about this movement to a larger audience - thank you! Now everyone, please share, share, share! Let’s keep the momentum going.

Have an awesome day!

The #CoverCannabis Project: Global News Interview with Mike Stubbs

I was thrilled to be invited onto London Live with Mike Stubbs to chat about our #CoverCannabis Project.

Listen to the full interview here.

When you’re in the midst of a pandemic, other important issues don’t get a lot of attention. The problem is, they’re still there and in this case, the pandemic has exacerbated the problem by increasing many of the symptoms for which people need cannabinoid medicines AND making it harder to attain due to the financial stress the pandemic has imposed on so many Canadians.

Mike and I chat about this and more on his show. Click on the link below to hear our full conversation.

Thank you all for your continued support for this movement! Keep sharing your stories using hashtag #CoverCannabis and sharing our posts. If we make enough noise, we will make change.