RECAP: Medical Cannabis + Cancer Care
On June 21st, 2017, Rethink partnered with Aphria to host our second annual Medical Cannabis and Cancer Care forum. If you weren’t able to join us, here’s what you missed. And, if you were there, here’s a recap!
On June 21st it was all about medical cannabis and cancer care. There was a great turnout as people were eager to hear about the latest in medical cannabis information, research, and advocacy.
THE QUESTIONS:
How can medical cannabis help someone who is undergoing cancer treatment?
How can someone access medical cannabis in Canada?
Why is there so much stigma around medical cannabis use?
What needs to be done in terms of medical cannabis education for health care professionals and government agencies in Canada?
THE CONCLUSIONS:
Ultimately, it was concluded that there is still a lot to be done for medical cannabis research and education in Canada. Our panelists argued that without proper education as to what medical cannabis is and how it is beneficial, the stigma about its use cannot and will not be reduced.
But, in the mean time, we must continue to advocate and educate – focusing on the breakthroughs in research around medical cannabis and cancer care, as opposed to vilifying the plant because recreational use is not yet legal in Canada. Patients have the right to ask for a second opinion if their doctor refuses to suggest medical cannabis as part of their treatment plan. And, ultimately, as Canadian citizens, we “vote with our wallets” (Erin Prosk) by choosing to support trustworthy cannabis clinics/centres and raising the standard of care that they offer.
If you weren’t able to make it to the forum and you want to know more about medical cannabis and cancer care:
Check out the full recording of the forum on our Facebook page!
A BIG THANK YOU
Thank you to our amazing panelists, Dr. Vincent Maida, Lynda Balneaves, Erin Prosk, Beth Harris, and Julie Vickaryous. And thank you to Aphria for partnering with us in making this forum possible.
Check out the photos from the event
