As the federal government’s plan to legalize recreational marijuana next year moves ahead, there are still many challenges, including how pricing and taxation of the drug will work. In letters to the governments of Alberta, New Brunswick and Ontario, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association has asked those provinces to consider the potential affect on […]
As several provincial governments seek feedback on their legislative framework for recreational cannabis, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is raising industry concerns about how pricing, taxation and distribution of the drug will work. In letters to the governments of Alberta, New Brunswick and Ontario, the organization suggests higher taxation and pricing of recreational cannabis […]
As Canada looks to legalize marijuana next year, many employers are still unsure about how to prepare for what happens when the legislation takes effect, according to a recent study by the Human Resources Professionals Association. In a recent survey of its members, it found 45 per cent of respondents don’t believe their workplace policies adequately address […]
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is now offering its employees $3,000 to spend on medical marijuana per year. Around 400 employees, their spouses and dependants must get a doctor’s prescription and obtain the cannabis from legally authorized vendors, but they’ll face no limitations when it comes to what medical conditions are eligible for the […]
With recreational marijuana set to become legal in Canada next summer, employers have limited time to prepare for the coming changes, attendees at a presentation sponsored by Torys LLP in Toronto heard on Wednesday. The Cannabis Act, introduced in the House of Commons in April, had its second reading earlier in June as the government looks to […]
One local of an Ontario construction union is introducing medical marijuana coverage into its benefits plan, effective June 15. LiUNA Local 625 represents around 1,500 active construction workers and 1,600 dependants and retirees in the Windsor area. It began researching medical marijuana coverage two years ago, motivated by the desire to reduce the amount […]
The health benefits industry finally has something sexy to talk about: medical marijuana. The issue is far and away the most popular topic of discussion today. But one thing that’s lacking in the general discussion is an overview of practical considerations for administrative services-only plans considering some form of coverage or wanting to prepare given […]
A new study has found taking medical marijuana can reduce the amount of benzodiazepines a patient takes. Canabo Medical Inc., which owns 15 referral clinics for medical marijuana, partnered with external medical researchers for the study, which found 40 per cent of patients with pain and anxiety stopped using benzodiazepines within 90 days of being […]
Last week, Benefits Canada reported that Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw Companies Ltd. had introduced medical marijuana to their employee drug plan. Eligible employees will be able to claim up to $1,500 worth of the drug each year, but only if they are suffering from cancer or multiple sclerosis. Shoppers and Loblaw aren’t the first employers […]
Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw Companies Ltd. have introduced a medical marijuana benefit to their drug plan. Forty-five thousand employees are eligible for the benefit, which comes with a cap of $1,500 per year. “We regularly review our benefits plans to ensure they continue to meet the needs of our employees while also adapting to changes […]