UBC Okanagan will soon become the first university in BC, and second in Canada to offer a health plan that covers the costs of medical cannabis. The one-year pilot project will cover 80% of the costs of medicinal cannabis for selected students, and study the potential of continued coverage.
Students enrolled in the legal medical cannabis program will submit applications to a third-party who will assess their eligibility for coverage. Severe conditions such as chronic pain and nausea from chemotherapy will take priority, however, depending on program uptake, students with less severe conditions will be offered support.
Michelle Thiessen spearheaded the efforts for this initiative. She's the local Chair for Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy(CSSDP), a grassroots network comprised of youth and students who are concerned about the negative impact drug policies have on individuals and communities.
Thiessen says UBCO Students' Union will have $20,000 to distribute to the students under the health coverage, and the regular premium, around $125/year, will not be increased. "From year to year there's different levels of claims put in. Over time there's a surplus accumulated, so they're just scraping a little bit out of that surplus."
Thiessen says that the upcoming legalization of marijuana across the country, isn't as similar as it might appear. "These are people that have serious health concerns that rely on this medication to be able to be involved in the campus community, go to classes and be a contributing member. Versus, someone that's using it recreationally, on the weekend to have a good time. It's more about a quality of life...the student's already paying into the health plan so their medicine should be covered."