Ding Ding...round 3

Well, WCB got back to me and I am absolutely shocked that they denied my request to pay for my medical marihuana. Apparently the 3 studies I submitted aren't good enough,(Canadian Center for Substance Abuse, the Harm Reduction Journal, and my fave CMAJ) all peer reviewed and published.

Studies aren't big enough, not double blind (which at least one was for sure), don't form cohort because of ongoing insurance claim, support pain but not function. blah, blah, blah. I only have until the 15th to respond to this medical opinion.

If anyone knows of any double blind randomized placebo controlled marijuana studies, please let me know asap. Boy they aren't asking for much in this fledgling industry. I pointed out the historical significance before prohibition...ask them to look outside the pharmaceutical box.

They never did answer any of my other question regarding what they based their decision on. Instead they sent me a copy of the CMA's position on it and we all know how they feel about it.

Any way onward and upward...still think I'm winning at the appeal commission level.

you should also contact your local MP dude see if he can get on your side and help advocate on your behalf. It may help

I would do that but my claim is in a different jurisdiction than I live.

best of luck whatfg.....go get them.....
once they fall down ...don't let them back up...

WHATFG said:

I would do that but my claim is in a different jurisdiction than I live.

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That shouldn't matter as your local MP is your local MP, it would be the same as if you were asking for help against the fed govt

[QUOTE="WHATFG, post: 10485552, member: 711285"

If anyone knows of any double blind randomized placebo controlled marijuana studies, please let me know asap. Boy they aren't asking for much in this fledgling industry. I pointed out the historical significance before prohibition...ask them to look outside the pharmaceutical box.
Any way onward and upward...still think I'm winning at the appeal commission level.[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure if these links are what you're looking for?

http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=158:a-double-blind-active-placebo-controlled-crossover-trial-of-the-antinociceptive-effects-of-smoked-marijuana-on-subjects-with-neuropathic-pain-correlation-with-changes-in-mood-cognition-and-psychomotor-performance&catid=41:research-studies&Itemid=135

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23297841

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2797957/

You could comb through this, too.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/alt_formats/pdf/marihuana/med/infoprof-eng.pdf

I tried to be somewhat civil when I wrote the appeal in that I indicated that overwhelm them with info but instead chose thee based not only on their support for my position but also for the overall quality of the document. All were CDN, all published. Fir gods sake when the center for disease control con get behind this,it's simply an excuse to not do something. Hey Magenta...I did refer them to that document but I know they didn't really read what I already gave them just based on what they replied with. Maybe I should print it out and submit it. Hey VI I was going to submit that CMCR doc. I think what I may o now though is because they are such large docs that I reference the website for them to peruse. It is only up to me to find supporting docs...up to everyone else to argue it.

Upon a second read...their are pulling the "unknown long term effect" to which I argued that drugs that have passed the snuff test get yanked all the time so that argument doesn't hold water. The other funny thing was that I didn't show a cohort. I mean people that are in chronic pain or whatever...it shouldn't matter why you have it. So I can't find people that have the same problem as me for the same reason. So even though I may have neuropathic pain, referencing a study that covers diabetic neuropathic pain is unacceptable. Isn't that the stingiest pile of shit?

So since they don't want to play nice....I'm throwing the gauntlet down. Going to look at the Herbal Pharmacopeia, and some of these reference studies from the US. Thanks all!

good luck on your appeal man, has been a WCB case where they have approved anyone? if not it's always a bitch when your one of the first ones to do so.... jumping through hoops .....dodge red tape ... I get how exhausting that is

you could contact your ombudsman to try and advocate with ya
"Buds"

If you look on canlii , case Decision No. 1535/11 you can use this as precedence I too am planning on bringing it to appeal..Decision No. 491/12,Decision No. 1548/13

stugatso said:

If you look on canlii , case Decision No. 1535/11 you can use this as precedence I too am planning on bringing it to appeal..Decision No. 491/12,Decision No. 1548/13

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Thanks for the reference....my claim is not in Ontario, and the wcb I'm dealing with has not policy or provisions in the act.

Forgive my ignorance on the matter, but what does WCB mean?

calyxcrusher....it stands for worker compensation board...

Thanks cannadan, I've only ever heard of WSIB when it comes to that stuff. Learn something new everyday as the adage goes.

So wcb gave their review office decision...and as I suspected Medicinal Marijuana is not in the Manitoba Interchangeability Drug Formulary. They just keep moving the fucking goalposts on me. They brought up the Manitoba College's position, the CMA, no double-blind placebo controlled studies that have big enough sample sizes....don't know the long term effects so risk outweighs benefit...they threw the act and the policy manual at me.
So I contacted norml, gave them the rundown, and asked then if they could direct me to these freaking studies. Does it not seem unreasonable that they will pay for Sativex or Nabilone, but won't pay for this? You can't get one without the other unless it's synthetic and who wants that shit?

I really like how they "may" do something but not. For fuck sakes...they keep pushing the other drugs available that work better. For who? Not me...and do you think they'll answer any of my questions? Nooooooooo.
End rant ( for now) arrrrgh!

Hey Whatfg...you have my sympathy's....I only collected once many years ago for a work injury and they put you thru the ringer....when you need a break the most...
Keep your chin up buddy....you will be successful...its only a matter of time...
you have to keep doing everything you can....and eventually the squeaky wheel gets the grease
forge on...

WHATFG said:

So wcb gave their review office decision...and as I suspected Medicinal Marijuana is not in the Manitoba Interchangeability Drug Formulary. They just keep moving the fucking goalposts on me. They brought up the Manitoba College's position, the CMA, no double-blind placebo controlled studies that have big enough sample sizes....don't know the long term effects so risk outweighs benefit...they threw the act and the policy manual at me.
So I contacted norml, gave them the rundown, and asked then if they could direct me to these freaking studies. Does it not seem unreasonable that they will pay for Sativex or Nabilone, but won't pay for this? You can't get one without the other unless it's synthetic and who wants that shit?

I really like how they "may" do something but not. For fuck sakes...they keep pushing the other drugs available that work better. For who? Not me...and do you think they'll answer any of my questions? Nooooooooo.
End rant ( for now) arrrrgh!

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I would ask what is the long term side effects of Sativex?

leaffan said:

I would ask what is the long term side effects of Sativex?

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Nothing, but thats not the point. Sativex is seen as a different beast, in their eyes. But I still don't think they'll cover Sativex. Most medical "professionals" still know nothing about Sativex...I had to literally enlighten my doc to get him to even prescribe it, as he had no background at all, on it.

I was prescribed Sativex (off-label) for my disease, and I went through all the hoops to get it covered, but got denied as Sativex is only covered for people with MS, as that is its primary designation.

I feel like I'm being punished for being on the leading edge of this. Surely I am not the only one asking for this...I am not that special really!! I got into the drug formulary and I can't find Sativex but I did find Nabilone. I also see that my poisonous dose of morphine was priced at about $35/ day. That's a bit of med mari....anything would help.

I still think at the end of the day, 3 reasonable people are going to see all the good shit that has come from this and make an informed decision. They want studies....ok I'll take all the time I'm allotted and they will have more studies than they'll know what to do with
(of course all summarized). My only concern right now is the formulary, but once I get my nose into that act, I will find some loophole just like some company would do,to get around the issue. Maybe I need to go the naturopathic route...herbal meds...I'm getting desperate now as this is the last kick at the cat on this issue.