Sociodemographic and health correlates of reimbursement authorizations for cannabis for medical purposes in Canadian veterans: A cross-sectional study linking the Life After Services Studies 2019 and Health Administrative Databases
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Background
Evidence on factors associated with cannabis for medical purposes (CMP) authorizations among Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) clients remains limited and inconsistent, particularly concerning mental health and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a leading indication for use. We investigated demographic, clinical and service characteristics associated with VAC authorizations for CMP reimbursement.
Method
We linked VAC administrative CMP program data with responses from the 2019 Life After Services Studies cross-sectional survey of Regular Force veterans released between 1998 and 2018. Multivariable logistic regressions examined associations between CMP reimbursement (yes/no) and demographic, clinical and well-being factors, with analyses stratified by PTSD status.
Results
Among 1,289 respondents (weighted n=33,131), 18.4% were authorized for CMP reimbursement. Younger age (<40 vs. ≥60 years: OR 4.78, 95% CI: 2.24–10.21), unemployment with inability to work vs. employed (OR 3.10, 95% CI: 1.78–5.40), land service vs. air (OR 2.07, 95% CI: 1.22–3.50), PTSD (OR 2.81, 95% CI: 1.69–4.66), anxiety (OR 2.32, 95% CI: 1.45–3.70), and severe pain vs. no pain (OR 3.61, 95% CI: 1.97–6.60) were independently associated with authorization. Unemployment and severe pain were consistent correlates across PTSD strata. Among those without PTSD, younger age, multiple physical conditions, and frequent mental health visits were significant; among those with PTSD, shorter service, witnessing destruction, and suicidal ideation were additional factors.
Conclusions
CMP authorization patterns among Canadian veterans reflect the intersection of mental health, pain, and functional impairment, with variation by PTSD status. These findings underscore the need for longitudinal research on CMP mechanisms, effectiveness and safety.
