Characteristics of Canadian Veterans reimbursed for cannabis for medical purposes: Life After Service Survey 2016

LAY SUMMARY This research explored the demographic, military service, and health characteristics associated with cannabis for medical purposes (CMP) reimbursements among Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) clients and respondents of the Life After Service Survey 2016 (LASS). Of the initial number of indicators selected contained in the LASS 2016, some specific variables were significantly associated with CMP reimbursement, from which physical/mental health and well-being indicators, such as anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, bowel ulcer, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, needing help with tasks, psychological distress, and having three or more conditions of the PTSD diagnosis, were positively associated with CMP. Moreover, unemployment, having low income (< $5,000), a difficult adjustment, being very dissatisfied with life, having low social support, a weak community belonging, and reporting high stress also increased the odds of being reimbursed. These results will help to identify a preliminary profile of VAC clients with higher need for CMP reimbursement. Introduction : Cannabis is used to self-treat a wide range of symptoms and conditions. However, there is scarce information describing the characteristics of Canadian Veterans being reimbursed by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) for cannabis used for medical purposes (CMP). The objective of this study was to explore the demographic and military service characteristics and chronic conditions associated with CMP reimbursement of VAC clients responding to the 2016 Life After Service Survey (LASS). Methods : This study linked the VAC reimbursement information for CMP and data from the 2016 LASS. In total, 1,480 LASS survey participants were VAC clients and were included in this study. Both descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed to explore the population characteristics (46 demographic, military, and well-being variables) associated with CMP reimbursement. Results : Of the 1,480 VAC clients in this study, 72 were reimbursed for CMP. Of the 46 variables, 20 were significant. Several variables from different domains were associated with CMP reimbursement in the bivariate analysis: anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, bowel ulcer, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12) scores, psychological distress, suicidal ideation, requiring help with tasks, financial status, unemployment, low income, dissatisfaction with finances, and satisfacti