Practice Topics > Cannabis and Patient Care Practice Topic
PRACTICE TOPIC

Cannabis and Patient Care Practice Topic

Pharmacists, in their clinical role as medication experts, are in a unique position to contribute to positive health outcomes for patients who consume cannabis, whether for medical or non-medical (recreational) use. The public should expect that pharmacy professionals have sufficient knowledge about cannabis use to promote patient safety and prevent harm – no differently than any other drug or substance.

Cannabis Training Requirements

At the time of the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018, and continued access for medical purposes, the College implemented a Cannabis Strategy, “Enhancing Knowledge, Protecting Patients” to prepare pharmacist to address evolving cannabis-related issues. As part of this strategy, all Part A pharmacists were required to complete mandatory cannabis education to support quality patient care by March 2020. Competencies and suggested learning objectives were provided to the Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy (CCCEP) to accredit courses from education providers. Pharmacists could also complete an entry to practice or bridging pharmacy program whose curriculum addresses the cannabis-related competencies outlined in Appendix A. Pharmacists who self-assess and identify a knowledge gap are expected to pursue the necessary learning activities to maintain their competency.

Cannabis Legislation

The production, distribution, sale, and possession of medical cannabis is regulated at the federal level, and cannabis for non-medical (recreational) use is regulated at the federal as well as the provincial/territorial and municipal levels. Activities with cannabis outside of what the law allows remain illegal and subject to criminal penalties.

FEDERAL

PROVINCIAL

COLLEGE RESOURCES

PHARMACY CONNECTION ARTICLES

FAQs

  • Pharmacists are medication experts and are often the most accessible healthcare providers for patients. Ontarians who consume or are considering consuming cannabis should expect their pharmacist to have the knowledge to help them make the best decisions about their care and to be able to effectively respond to their cannabis-related inquiries. 

    In addition to the opportunity to provide advice on cannabis use, there is also an opportunity to educate the public on harm prevention strategies to reduce possible risks associated with cannabis consumption and to identify and assist patients who are at risk of cannabis use disorder. Also, as a patient could acquire recreational cannabis without the intervention of a health professional and intend to consume it for medical purposes, pharmacists are in an ideal position to support patients in such circumstances. 

  • Pharmacists are expected to gather relevant information through dialogue with the patient to assess the appropriateness of a prescribed medication and to identify potential drug interactions. This may include asking about allergies, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors, such as the patient’s diet, alcohol, exercise, tobacco, and cannabis consumption. 

    As medication experts, pharmacists are in a unique position to support patients who consume cannabis, collaborating with other health care professionals as needed, to promote patient safety while striving to meet their health goals and desired treatment outcomes.

  • No. Under the federal Cannabis Act, the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations prohibit pharmacies (or any retail outlet) from dispensing cannabis for medical purposes. 

    A pharmacist cannot alter or repackage cannabis, or be responsible to obtain, possess, or distribute cannabis on behalf of a patient. 

    The holder of a federal license for sale for Cannabis for Medical Purposes must deliver directly to the patient, by mail and in the licensed processor’s original packaging, pursuant to an order from a health care practitioner. 

    Cannabis for recreational or non-medical purposes can only be distributed or sold through the online Ontario Cannabis Store or through privately run retail stores that have received a license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. 

    Community pharmacists are not exempt from the methodologies of distribution of cannabis outlined in the legislation. For additional information, please contact Health Canada’s Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Branch (CLRB) at [email protected]. 

  • No. Under the federal Cannabis Act, activities with cannabis are prohibited unless authorized by the Cannabis Regulations. It is prohibited to obtain, or offer to obtain cannabis by any method or process, including altering its chemical or physical properties. Any compounding activity involving cannabis would require enabling regulations or an exemption from the application of the Act by the Minister under subsection 140(1). 

    For additional information, please contact Health Canada’s Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Branch (CLRB) at [email protected].

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

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