Canadian Cannabis Policy and the Older Adult Perspective: Does the Dual-Stream System Work?
Department
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Program
Health and Aging
Year
1st
Supervisor Name
Marita Kloseck
Supervisor Email
mkloseck@uwo.ca
Abstract Text
Background: The following paper aims to better understand the perspective of older adults and their use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP), either regulated or unregulated, to guide refinement of the Canadian cannabis system. Understudied and under identified, older adults may provide insight to policy-makers. Cannabis legalization is directed from a public health perspective. Under the Cannabis Act, regulated products containing cannabis fall into one of three categories; non-medical, medical and health products with cannabis. Medical cannabis, while recognized as a legal right, cannot make health claims and lacks pre-market review for safety and efficacy. Contested by the Canadian Medical Association, policy-makers are investigating whether to dismantle the medical category.
Methods: Apply a critical pragmatic approach to analyze the perspective of community dwelling older adults, 55 years of age and older. Conduct interviews to examine both regulated and unregulated use of CTP. Specifically, consider if both older adult and public health objectives are met.
Results: The perspective of older adults allow one to consider how the Cannabis Act may be modified to ensure regulated CTP, while maintaining healthy communities via evidence-based and ethical application.
Discussion and Conclusion: The paper will offer insight on the perspective of older adults using CTP, public health objectives of the Cannabis Act and policy-maker considerations. Specifically, what is the perspective of older adults 55 years of age and older using CTP, regulated or unregulated? Are public health objectives met? How may policy-makers consider regulation of the medical cannabis category?
Proposal stage (study being developed)
Dietary Restrictions
N/A
Supervisor Consent
yes
Canadian Cannabis Policy and the Older Adult Perspective: Does the Dual-Stream System Work?
Background: The following paper aims to better understand the perspective of older adults and their use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP), either regulated or unregulated, to guide refinement of the Canadian cannabis system. Understudied and under identified, older adults may provide insight to policy-makers. Cannabis legalization is directed from a public health perspective. Under the Cannabis Act, regulated products containing cannabis fall into one of three categories; non-medical, medical and health products with cannabis. Medical cannabis, while recognized as a legal right, cannot make health claims and lacks pre-market review for safety and efficacy. Contested by the Canadian Medical Association, policy-makers are investigating whether to dismantle the medical category.
Methods: Apply a critical pragmatic approach to analyze the perspective of community dwelling older adults, 55 years of age and older. Conduct interviews to examine both regulated and unregulated use of CTP. Specifically, consider if both older adult and public health objectives are met.
Results: The perspective of older adults allow one to consider how the Cannabis Act may be modified to ensure regulated CTP, while maintaining healthy communities via evidence-based and ethical application.
Discussion and Conclusion: The paper will offer insight on the perspective of older adults using CTP, public health objectives of the Cannabis Act and policy-maker considerations. Specifically, what is the perspective of older adults 55 years of age and older using CTP, regulated or unregulated? Are public health objectives met? How may policy-makers consider regulation of the medical cannabis category?