The increased mainstream acceptance of marijuana and its medicinal qualities has sparked a discussion around whether it should be paid for as a treatment in group benefits plans.
Veterans Affairs Canada, which has covered medical marijuana since 2008, was urged to reduced spending on the drug in a report issued by the federal auditor general on May 3. The auditor general said the drug has become the highest-cost item paid for under the drug component of the benefits program.
Read: Veteran Affairs urged to better manage drug plan, marijuana costs
Critics of the report feel the auditor general focused too closely on the cost of the program rather than the health advantages of switching from pharmaceuticals to marijuana. “My anecdotal evidence from speaking with people in the community is an 80 per cent reduction in the use of pharmaceuticals,” said Clayton Goodwin, part of the Veterans Accountability Commission.
The topic is the subject of this week’s online poll. Should group benefits plans cover medical marijuana? Is it an effective and healthier method for treatment or an under-researched and poorly managed substance?
Read: Medical marijuana: Considerations for plan sponsors
Last week’s poll, which asked if Canadian pension fund managers were overpaid, turned out to be a contentious issue. Almost half (46 per cent) of respondents believe it’s unreasonable that Canadian pension fund managers earn more than their counterparts do in other countries, while the remaining 54 per cent believe the higher pay attracts top talent that delivers results.