Most Canadian therapeutic cannabis users accessed it outside the legal system
Only 7% of Canadian therapeutic cannabis users accessed it exclusively through authorized sources, with cost, physician reluctance, and program complexity being major barriers.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 628 current therapeutic cannabis users in Canada, only 7% accessed cannabis exclusively from authorized (legal) sources. The vast majority relied on unauthorized sources despite the existence of a federal access program.
Key barriers included difficulty finding a physician willing to support a program application, high costs of authorized cannabis, and complexity of the application process. Access varied by medical condition and overall health status.
The presence of medical cannabis dispensaries (which were not part of the regulatory regime at the time) was positively associated with access, suggesting these unofficial distribution points were filling a gap left by the formal program. Fewer than 5% of estimated therapeutic cannabis users in Canada were enrolled in the federal program.
Key Numbers
628 therapeutic users surveyed. Only 7% accessed exclusively from authorized sources. Fewer than 5% of estimated therapeutic users were enrolled in the federal program. Dispensary presence was positively associated with access.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional survey of 628 current therapeutic cannabis users in Canada. A health services analytical framework examined barriers across five dimensions: accommodation, accessibility, availability, affordability, and acceptability.
Why This Research Matters
When a regulated therapeutic cannabis program exists but only reaches 5% of estimated users, the regulatory framework is failing to serve patients. Understanding the specific barriers to access can inform policy improvements and reduce the harms of unregulated supply.
The Bigger Picture
This study captured a moment in Canadian cannabis policy before full legalization in 2018. The barriers identified, particularly physician reluctance and cost, are common across medical cannabis programs worldwide and continue to shape access even in jurisdictions with legal frameworks.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-selected survey sample may not represent all therapeutic users. Self-reported data on sources and use patterns. The study captured a specific point in Canadian policy that has since changed significantly with full legalization.
Questions This Raises
- ?Has full cannabis legalization in Canada resolved the access barriers identified in this study?
- ?Do patients fare differently when accessing authorized vs. unauthorized cannabis?
- ?How can physician education reduce the barrier of provider reluctance?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Only 7% of therapeutic users accessed cannabis exclusively from authorized sources
- Evidence Grade:
- Structured cross-sectional survey with a health services framework, though limited by self-selection and pre-legalization timing.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2014, before Canada's full cannabis legalization in 2018.
- Original Title:
- Barriers to access for Canadians who use cannabis for therapeutic purposes.
- Published In:
- The International journal on drug policy, 25(4), 691-9 (2014)
- Authors:
- Belle-Isle, Lynne(3), Walsh, Zach(19), Callaway, Robert(2), Lucas, Philippe, Capler, Rielle, Kay, Robert, Holtzman, Susan
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00769
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why did so few Canadian patients use the legal medical cannabis program?
Major barriers included difficulty finding supportive physicians, high cost of authorized cannabis, and a complex application process. Only about 5% of estimated therapeutic users were enrolled in the federal program.
Where did most therapeutic cannabis users get their cannabis?
The vast majority used unauthorized sources. Medical cannabis dispensaries, which operated outside the formal regulatory framework, were positively associated with patient access.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00769APA
Belle-Isle, Lynne; Walsh, Zach; Callaway, Robert; Lucas, Philippe; Capler, Rielle; Kay, Robert; Holtzman, Susan. (2014). Barriers to access for Canadians who use cannabis for therapeutic purposes.. The International journal on drug policy, 25(4), 691-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.02.009
MLA
Belle-Isle, Lynne, et al. "Barriers to access for Canadians who use cannabis for therapeutic purposes.." The International journal on drug policy, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.02.009
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Barriers to access for Canadians who use cannabis for therap..." RTHC-00769. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/belle-isle-2014-barriers-to-access-for
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.