Cannabis

After extensive consultation with stakeholders and the medical community, WorkSafeNB approved Policy 25-015 - Medical Aid – Cannabis (Marijuana) for Medical Purposes on April 4, 2018. In doing so, WorkSafeNB became the first workers' compensation board in Canada to approve a specialized framework for medical cannabis. 

Information for health care professionals

WorkSafeNB generally doesn’t approve medical cannabis as medical aid. However, it may be approved to treat a compensable injury or disease in the following situations:

• Symptoms encountered in palliative/end of life care setting;
• Nausea and vomiting while receiving chemotherapy as part of treatment for cancer;
• Loss of appetite due to treatments for cancer or AIDS;
• Spasm and spasticity due to central nervous system injury; and
• Chronic neuropathic pain.

Medicinal cannabis may also be considered for harm reduction when the injured worker’s dosage of opioids is over the maximum daily limit recommended in WorkSafeNB’s Policy 25-012 Medical Aid – Opioids.

Resources:

• Cannabis Review Booklet – Primary Care Provider (Family Physician/Nurse Practitioner)
• Cannabis Review Booklet – Authorizing (Prescribing) Physician
• Monitoring Form for Continued Use of Medicinal Cannabis 
• Policy 25-015 – Medical Aid – Cannabis (Marijuana) for Medical Purposes
• Consultation Summary Results
• 5 things you need to know about our new medicinal cannabis policy 

5 things you need to know about our new medicinal cannabis policy