Veterans Affairs Canada mulls adding disposable vape pens to reimbursement program

Many users prefer to vape instead of smoke since it is believed to be less harmful to the respiratory system, but still a quick and effective treatment against some PTSD symptoms

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is mulling putting disposable cannabis vape pens on the list of drugs and devices that qualify for a reimbursement program.

The department has categorized vaporizers as medical devices for about five years. Veterans, as well as retired RCMP officers, may be reimbursed up to $300 for their purchase of a vape to be used with doctor-prescribed medical cannabis.

Since then, VAC has footed the bill for almost 7,000 of the devices, most of which were dry herb vapes. These are reusable devices that are filled with dried cannabis flower, although some devices come with attachments that allow them to be used for both dry herbs and concentrates.

The program has spent more than $2 million reimbursing veterans for their reusable vapes, but VAC is currently contemplating the expansion of the reimbursement program to include vape pens, some of which are disposable, and others that are reusable, but require refill cartridges, that allow users to consume cannabis concentrates smoke-free.

Many users prefer to vape rather than smoke as it is believed to be less harmful to the respiratory system, but still a quick and effective treatment against some symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Vaping also produces less lasting odour than smoking and allows users to consume the drug less conspicuously than smoking a joint, pipe or bong

By Emma Spears The London Free Press
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