The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) received funding to study the barriers to access to cannabis for medicinal purposes for people living with HIV/AIDS. We conducted an extensive consultation of people living with HIV/AIDS from across Canada through focus groups and a widely distributed questionnaire. The project was overseen by a National Steering Committee and was conducted in consultation with a legal consultant.

The results of this consultation were published in AIDS Care, a publication the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health in the United States.

Poster for presentation at the International Harm Reduction Conference.

Call for Endorsement

CAS is calling on organizations to consider officially endorsing the recommendations put forth in the Cannabis as Therapy for People Living with HIV/AIDS: “Our Right, Our Choice” report. Please consult the sample motion that could be discussed at your organization’s next board of directors meeting. Feel free to amend this motion as you see fit. If your organization wishes to endorse our recommendations, please forward us a copy of the motion or a letter of endorsement to:

Lynne Belle-Isle, Project Consultant
Tel: 613.230.3580 (126)
Fax: 613.563.4998
E-mail: lynneb@cdnaids.ca

The following organizations have endorsed these recommendations as of February 19 , 2010.


Policy Report

The full report and accompanying executive summary outline the barriers to access to the federal medical cannabis program, to a legal source of cannabis, and to adequate information and services. Recommendations are made to address these barriers so that people living with HIV/AIDS can treat themselves without fear of criminal prosecution, with a legal, safe and affordable source of cannabis, with adequate information to make informed decisions and with the necessary support to optimize their health.

		Executive Summary - Cannabis as Therapy for People Living with HIV/AIDS: “Our Right, Our Choice”
		Report - Cannabis as Therapy for People Living with HIV/AIDS: “Our Right, Our Choice”

To order FREE hard copies of the report, please visit the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange web site or call 1-800-263-1638.

Cannabis and HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets

To address some of the information needs identified regarding the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, we have produced a series of fact sheets on Cannabis and HIV/AIDS which include:

		Fact sheet #1 - The Medicinal Use of Cannabis
		Fact sheet #2 - How to Apply to Use Medicinal Cannabis Legally
		Fact sheet #3 - How to Speak to your Doctor about Medicinal Cannabis
		Fact sheet #4 - Information Sheet for Physicians
		Fact sheet #5 - Where to Find Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes
		Fact sheet #6 - A Few Tips for Safer Use and Better Health
		Fact sheet #7 - Cooking with Cannabis
		Fact sheet #8 - Tips for Growing Cannabis Safely
		Fact sheet #9 - How to Deal with the Stigma and Discrimination of Cannabis Use

Funding of Project

Production of these documents has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada, or those of Health Canada. The Canadian AIDS Society thanks Solvay Pharma for their contribution to this project.






Organizations that Endorse the Recommendations

1.		AIDS Action Perth
2.		AIDS Community Care Montreal • Sida bénévoles Montréal
3.		AIDS Saint John
4.		AIDS Vancouver
5.		Americans for Safe Access
6.		B.C. Compassion Club Society
7.		British Columbia Persons with AIDS Society (BCPWA)
8.		Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE)
9.		Canadian Treatment Action Council (CTAC)
10.		Canadians for Safe Access
11.		Cannabis as Living Medicine (CALM)
12.		Cannabis Buyers Clubs of Canada - Halifax
13.		Centre des R.O.S.É.S. de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue
14.		Comité des personnes atteintes du VIH du Québec (CPAVIH)
15.		Club Compassion de Montréal
16.		Green Cross Society of BC
17.		Groupe d'entraide à l'intention des personnes séropositives itinérantes et toxicomanes (GEIPSI)
18.		Hemp Users Medical Access Network (HUMAN)
19.		Island Harvest
20.		Living Positive Resource Centre
21.		Montreal Cannabis Club
22.		Maritimers Unite for Medical Marijuana Society (MUMM)
23.		Prisoners with HIV/AIDS Support Action Network (PASAN)
24.		PhytoCan Pharmaceuticals Inc.
25.		Toronto Compassion Centre
26.		Toronto People with AIDS Foundation
27.		Vancouver Island Compassion Society (VICS)
28.		Vancouver Island PWA Society
29.		MedMe - Canada's Medical Marihuana Provider