Regulating compassion: an overview of Canada's federal medical cannabis policy and practice

Table 1 Cost Comparison of PPS Contract Extension for Oct 2006-Sept 2007 to BCCCS Costs for Fiscal year of November 2005-October 2006

Program Variables	Health Canada	BCCCS
Number of Persons Accessing Product	700(a)	3000
Cost of Program	$2,722,643	$2,217,772(b)
Total Cost/Person	$3,889.49	$739.25
Cost of Cannabis	$547,627(c)	$1,299,409(d)
Quantity of Cannabis	778 kg(e)	262 kg
Cost of Cannabis/kg	$328.75/$1144(f)	$4959.57
Cost of Cannabis/Person	$782.32(g)	$433.13
Usable Percent of Cannabis	63% (h)	97% (i)
Cost of Unusable Cannabis	$202,622(j)	$43,345
Price to Patients/kg	$5000	$8000
Mark-Up on Price	1500%	66%
Operating Costs(k)	$2,175,016	$718,948(l)
Operating Cost/Person	$3,107.17	$239.34
Operations as Percent of Total Cost	80%	32%
Ratio of Operating Cost to Cannabis	4:1	1:2

(a) 350 license holders and 350 COMPASS study participants. Compass study ending Dec 31, 2007.
(b) Includes all costs directly related to provision of cannabis as well other cannabis products (i.e. hashish, tinctures and baked goods), and smoking implements. Does not include costs directly related to provision of other natural health care services also provided by the BCCCS.
(c) $138,075 for 420 kg plus $409,552 for 358 kg.
(d) Does not include costs of hashish or other cannabis products.
(e) Bulk product.
(f) $328.75/kg for 420 kg and $1144/kg for amounts of 240–358 kg above 420 kg.
(g) $197.25 for the 420 kg, and $585.07 for the 358 kg.
(h) According to PPS, 45% of bulk product is usable (see footnote 20)
(i) Loss of usable product purchased by the BCCCS is due to moisture loss and stems. Product must meet our manicuring standards as a condition of purchase.
(j) Using the conservative number of 37% unusable cannabis. At 55%, this would total $310,195.
(k) For these purposes, defined as all costs above cost of cannabis, including packaging and processing orders.
(l) Does not include wages related to provision of other natural health care services, however does include rent and utilities related to those services.

ISSN: 1477-7517