New figures show Ottawa spent more than $150 million in the last fiscal year — more than double the amount just three years ago. Figures from Veterans Affairs Canada show the government is on track to spend nearly $200 million this year as thousands more ex-service members ask the government to pay for their cannabis each year. Demand for medical marijuana among Canada’s veterans has grown since a 2008 court ruling required the government to provide reasonable access to the drug when approved by a health care professional. That increase has only accelerated in recent years despite a November 2016 overhaul of how the government reimburses ex-military personnel for pot, including reducing the amount and costs that would be covered. Continued demand has prompted renewed calls for more research into the medical benefits of cannabis, which experts and advocates say is still lacking. It has also raised concerns about veterans using marijuana to avoid dealing with their psychological trauma and the need for more support for counseling and peer support.
