Investigating factors associated with medicinal cannabis authorization dosage among military Veterans in Canada

Abstract

LAY SUMMARY This work investigated factors associated with medicinal cannabis authorization dosage among 9,104 Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force Veterans in Canada with a valid Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes (CMP) reimbursement on Dec. 31, 2020, and identified various socio-demographic, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) pensionable conditions, and military service characteristics associated with higher-dose medicinal cannabis authorizations. Among those with higher dose reimbursements were Veterans under the age of 30 years, males, those receiving benefits for health conditions (e.g., hearing loss, musculoskeletal, or mental health conditions), those participating in VAC rehabilitation services, those with an earlier year of reimbursement, those who were released involuntarily from service, and those indicating land military environment service at date of release. In statistical models investigating the impact of multiple factors, some of the strongest associations with higher dosages were observed for Veterans with mental health conditions, those with earlier reimbursements, and province of residence.