Dry herb vaping devices for medical cannabis consumption have been approved for reimbursement for Canadian veterans and Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers. However, exactly if and how liquid-filled pens will qualify has yet to be determined.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) currently reimburses up to $300 for the purchase of one reusable vaporizer every three years. This decision was made in 2014, notes information from VAC.

The veteran must have an authorization for cannabis for medical purposes, as well as a prescription for a vaporizer, from his or her health care practitioner. The veteran can purchase the vaporizer from a number of providers, and be reimbursed by VAC, the information adds.

VAC is considering expanding its cannabis vaporizer reimbursement program to include disposable vaping pens.

The devices are increasing in popularity among veterans, and acquiring one is becoming easier.

Cannabis accessory company Signature By Liberty Leaf confirmed this week that it is now approved to direct bill medical cannabis vaping devices. “Staff at Signature will complete all the necessary paperwork through Medavie Blue Cross and provide qualifying vaporizers to veterans, while making reimbursement applications,” the company reported in a press release.

The reimbursement program is intended to help mitigate some of the financial obstacles experienced by Canadian veterans. / THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nam Y. Huh THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

“There is no need for veterans to pay out of pocket, other than for charges that don’t qualify under the program,” the statement noted.

The reimbursement program is intended to help mitigate some of the financial obstacles experienced by Canadian veterans as a result of injuries, illnesses and other medical issues sustained in the course of their service.

Cannabis is considered helpful in the treatment of symptoms of ailments such as chronic pain, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, many of which can be caused or exacerbated by combat.

The federal government footed the bill for approximately $75 million in veterans’ cannabis costs for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, and about $2 million in vape reimbursements. That number is expected to rise in the following year.

It is important to note that VAC does not authorize cannabis, the department reports, adding that it reimburses for medical treatments authorized by the veteran’s physician or health care practitioner.

Given the recent changes to the Cannabis Regulations, which allowed for the legal sale of new products to begin in December 2019, the department proactively began to consider how its cannabis reimbursement program might be impacted. One of the products emerging on market is the disposable vaping pen for cannabis. These are different than the vaporizers currently reimbursed VAC, the department information adds.

The department regularly reviews new and emerging treatments, services, and products to decide whether they should fall under its reimbursement program.