Medical Cannabis for Children Questioned
Use Known by 50 Per Cent of Paediatricians, But Only 4 Per Cent Are Prescribed – LPC
About half of paediatricians in Canada know a child in their care who is using cannabis for medical reasons. However, only about four per cent have said they’ve authorized that use. Most are shying away from medical cannabis for children due to lack of evidence.
“This is mostly driven by parents, and doctors have fallen behind,” said Dr. Adam Rapoport, medical director of the Paediatric Advanced Care Team at Sick Kids in Toronto.
The conversation is not much different than in other doctors’ offices. Cannabis prescriptions can be hard to get. Doctors do not fully understand the medical risks and benefits cannabis. There have been positive results for children with certain conditions including severe epilepsy.
However, one major difference is that some negative long-term effects are known in children. These include an increased risk of a cannabis use disorder.
Lauren Kelly, a pharmacologist and scientific director of the Canadian Childhood Cannabinoid Clinical Trials, is trying to learn more about medical cannabis for children.
“I certainly don’t think it can be the cure-all. It’s not magic,” she said. “But there are some areas that are showing promise. We should be investing in research.”
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