Local tipples to quench your summer thirst
Jody Robbins explores whether cannabis is effective for coping with COVID-19 woes.
At the best of times, anxiety can lead to feelings of dread, tension and poor sleep. During a pandemic, it can feel overwhelming and worsen current physical and mental health conditions. To take the edge off, an increasing number of Canadians are turning to cannabis.
“Since the onslaught of COVID-19, we’ve seen a significant increase in the desire to use medical cannabis,” says Dr. Mark Kimmins, an adviser on medical cannabis at Natural Health Services and author of Medical Cannabis in Canada.
“People are scared and not sleeping properly. Chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety and depression are the top reasons people use medical cannabis. When used properly, cannabis can provide relief of all these symptoms.”
Those suffering from anxiety who are inexperienced in purchasing product from a recreational pot shop may find a measure of comfort either online or at bricks and mortar cannabinoid medical clinics. By going the medical route, consumers no longer need to guess which medical cannabis products or dosages are best for their health conditions.
Cannalogue, a new online marketplace for medical cannabis products, is the first directto-sales provider licensed by Health Canada, and is currently conducting research with the Department of Medicine at the University of Calgary.
From the comforts of home, Canadians can receive a free medical assessment, personalized treatment plan and the ability to fill prescriptions for medical cannabis. Cannalogue’s Amazon-like service offers patients a choice of physician-recommended medical cannabis products, eliminating the need for repetitive doctor visits to modify prescriptions.
“Cannalogue offers access to multiple suppliers and different products, so patients are no longer stuck to one licensed producer, which can be inconvenient to change and taxes the health-care system,” says president and CEO Dr. Mohan Cooray.
According to a new study from the Angus Reid Institute, half of Canadians report a worsening of their mental health, with onein-10 saying it has worsened “a lot.”
Asked to describe how they’ve been primarily feeling in recent weeks, Canadians are most likely to say they’re worried, (44 per cent), anxious (41 per cent) and bored (30 per cent). At least onein-five residents in each region of the country fall into the Hardest Hit category, with Alberta reporting the highest number at 32 per cent.
PRE-COVID, Calgarian Christine Tracey would take cannabis before bed to help with insomnia.
“Since COVID, I’m chewing on something by noon for anxiety and to give myself the energy to complete tasks with my kids. Cannabis has allowed me to get outside the front door and go for walks. It’s not about being at 100 per cent anymore, it’s about being functional,” she says.
With recent public health self-isolation protocols, it’s not difficult to see how the threat of COVID-19 may exacerbate feelings of anxiety, whether you have a pre-existing condition or not. But relying on chemicals to improve our mood is risky if strategies for coping long term aren’t learned, warns psychiatrist Dr. Kyle Burns, a board member of Anxiety Canada.
“In the short term, cannabis can reduce tension and the physical symptoms of anxiety, but there isn’t evidence it has long-term benefits.”
For mild anxiety, Burns recommends regularly scheduled pleasant activities, social contact and exercise. For moderate to severe anxiety, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is recommended.
“We get distracted from what works really well. In terms of getting better, CBT is more effective in preventing anxiety relapses than prescriptions,” he says.
Those interested in the medical cannabis route will find products approximately 25 per cent cheaper than at recreational stores. Depending on your group benefits plan, cannabis could be covered by insurance. Additionally, an educational component is provided when purchasing from a medical cannabis vendor. If not dosed properly, side effects are likely.
“It can be extremely confusing for a patient to navigate the dozens of licensed producers to figure out which products can help them. The risk with recreational stores is that consumers are far less likely to get the benefit they want. It’s like being allowed to help yourself at a pharmacy” warns Kimmins.
Tracey, who purchases product from recreational stores, echoes this.
“Each new product offers a challenge in determining how much to consume. Edibles threw me off. You have no idea if a gummy is worth one joint or what. I wasn’t able to accurately estimate how much I was taking,” she admits.
An April study conducted by Nanos for the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction reports that 25 per cent of Canadians (aged 35-54) are drinking more while at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sometimes the natural reaction is to turn to alcohol to selftreat anxiety. It’s 2020. Cannabis is legal, and there’s no reason to turn to alcohol when safer, natural alternatives now exist,” says Cooray.
But Burns notes: “I wouldn’t want to compare the two for managing anxiety. Yes, cannabis is better, but that’s comparing it to something that’s really unhealthy for you. If you’re looking for a short-term solution, it’s legitimate. But cannabis may not be right for everyone, so talk to your doctor first. Like any medication, there’s risks and benefits.”