Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) Partners With CannTrust Inc. To Provide Patients With Education And Information About Medical Cannabis Use In Canada

OTTAWA, Jan. 21, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CSSN) announced a unique partnership with CannTrust Inc., the only pharmacist-owned and operated licensed producer of medical marijuana in Canada. 

The partnership, which began in late 2014, includes an unrestricted educational grant from CannTrust to be used by the CCSN for education, information and consultation purposes pertaining to medical marijuana use for patients in Canada.

"It's been almost a year since Health Canada introduced the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR)," says Jackie Manthorne, President and CEO of the CCSN. "Since one of CCSN's four core visions is to provide patients and survivors with current knowledge about treatments, options and outcomes in patient care, we felt it was important that we began a dialogue with our network to talk about medical marijuana use."

"We're honoured to collaborate with the CCSN," says Norman Paul, Chairman of CannTrust. "Having worked in the health care field for more than 40 years, my team and I are well aware of the need for quality patient and physician education. Partnering with groups like the CCSN who have solid track records informing and educating patients, survivors, caregivers, partners and other allied health groups about medical marijuana is an important initiative and we are thrilled to be involved."

In 2015, the CCSN will work with CannTrust to provide its network of patients and survivors with educational information, a series of webinars about medical marijuana to better understand its use, the new Canadian laws, and more. 

The first webinar entitled: Medical Marijuana in Canada – A Practical Understanding of Its Use for Cancer Patients will take place on January 22, 2015 at 1:00 pm EST. The webinar will feature a presentation and QA session with Dr. Paul Daeninck, a Winnipeg oncologist at St. Boniface General Hospital, a palliative care consultant with CancerCare Manitoba, and a board member of the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids (CCIC).

A CCSN-specific medical cannabis Twitter handle has been established to provide news and information and helpful, patient-friendly information about Medical Cannabis is now available on the CCSN website. A patient advisory group and a focus group are also part of the partnership undertaking.

"Living with cancer is a long and involved journey for patients, their caregivers and family," concludes Manthorne. "We know that some cancer patients are using medical marijuana to control pain and other symptoms and many have sought our help to provide them with reliable information.  Now, with this new CannTrust partnership, cancer and other chronic disease communities across Canada have a forum to inquire, learn and share points-of-view, concerns and insights about medical marijuana."

About Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN)
CCSN helps Canadian patients, families and caregivers become informed, connect and take action, to ensure they are receiving optimal cancer care and follow-up care. 

CCSN works to connect patients, survivors and other stakeholder groups with decision makers and the wider community to engage in discussion and to act on evidence-based best practices to alleviate the medical, emotional, financial and social costs of cancer.

About CannTrust Inc.
CannTrust Inc. is Canada's only pharmacist-owned and operated producer of medical cannabis. Federally licensed and regulated, CannTrust brings more than 40 years of pharmacy and healthcare experience to the medical cannabis industry.

Based in Vaughan, Ontario, CannTrust's 40,000 square foot state-of-the-art hydroponic facility employs strict quality control procedures allowing for the continuous production and harvest of pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis for patients in need.

CannTrust is committed to research and innovation and to contributing to the growing body of evidence-based research for the use and efficacy of medical cannabis.

The company supports ongoing patient education about medical cannabis across Canada through partnerships with a variety of patient and physician-based organizations, and provides a compassionate use program to support patients with financial needs.

For more information, visit CannTrust.ca or call 1-855-RX4-CANN (794-2266).

SOURCE Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN)

Jackie Manthorne, Canadian Cancer Survivor's Network, [email protected], [phone]; Norman Paul, CannTrust Inc., [email protected], [phone]