Alternative Prescriptions

We recognize the therapeutic potential of Alternative Prescriptions such as medical cannabis for various health conditions. Our experienced team will assess your eligibility and provide guidance on the most suitable cannabis products and dosages, all through a secure virtual platform.

Medical cannabis is used to alleviate a variety of symptoms associated with different conditions. Some of the symptoms and conditions that medical cannabis has been shown to help include:

1. Chronic Pain: Medical cannabis is often used to manage chronic pain, especially pain that is resistant to other treatments. It is commonly prescribed for conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis.

2. Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabis is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting, particularly in patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment.

3. Appetite Stimulation: It can help stimulate appetite in patients with conditions that cause appetite loss, such as HIV/AIDS and cancer.

4. Muscle Spasms: Medical cannabis can reduce muscle spasms and spasticity in conditions like multiple sclerosis.

5. Epilepsy: Certain cannabis-derived products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), are used to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in epilepsy patients, especially in treatment-resistant cases.

6. Anxiety and PTSD: Cannabis may help reduce anxiety and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some individuals.

7. Sleep Disorders: It can help improve sleep quality and duration for people with insomnia and other sleep disorders .

8. Inflammation: Cannabis has anti-inflammatory properties that can help in conditions characterized by inflammation, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis .

9. Glaucoma: It can reduce intraocular pressure, which is beneficial for patients with glaucoma, although its use is less common now due to the development of more effective treatments .

10. Mental Health Conditions: Some studies suggest that cannabis can help alleviate symptoms of depression, although more research is needed in this area.

It's important to note that while medical cannabis can help with these symptoms, its use should be supervised by a healthcare provider to manage potential side effects and interactions with other medications.

VAC Reimbursement Policy

Veterans Affairs Canada may reimburse an eligible Veteran for the purchase of cannabis for medical purposes, when the health care practitioner’s (defined in Health Canada’s Cannabis Regulations as a medical practitioner or a nurse practitioner) authorization is in accordance with Health Canada’s Cannabis Regulations. The medical document completed by the health care practitioner indicates the amount of grams per day of dried cannabis.

The maximum daily Veterans Affairs Canada reimbursement limit is 3 grams per day of dried cannabis or the equivalent in fresh cannabis, edible cannabis, cannabis extracts (including cannabis oil) or cannabis topicals.

Requests for reimbursement for more than 3 grams of dried cannabis (or the equivalent in fresh cannabis, edible cannabis, cannabis extracts (including cannabis oil) or cannabis topicals) will require additional supporting information for consideration as set out in Annex A.

Veterans Affairs Canada will reimburse the Veteran based on a maximum rate per gram of cannabis, when authorized in its dried form or the equivalent in fresh cannabis, edible cannabis, cannabis extracts (including cannabis oil) or cannabis topicals.