Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank both doctors for being with us today.
Based on Dr. Courchesne's testimony, it's my understanding that the use of marijuana for medical purposes for veterans is in fact nothing new. In 1999 it became legal to possess medicinal marijuana, and since 2008 VAC has covered the use of medicinal marijuana by veterans.
You mentioned the Auditor General's report on this issue. Fortunately, I sit on the public accounts committee, so I'm quite familiar with the Auditor General's reports.
The Auditor General's report that's been referenced by the doctors today states the following in paragraph 4.44:
While the Department advised us that it covered only the amount of marijuana for medical purposes recommended by the physician or a medical specialist, as outlined in the Regulations, we found that the Department had not established limits on cost or the amount to be covered.
In 2008 there was no limit on the cost of the medicinal marijuana that veterans were using. There were also no specifics provided on how much could be covered. To me, that sounds like there's a lack of a specific framework through which VAC provides benefits to veterans.
Can you tell me what has changed since 2008? Arising out of the Auditor General's report two years ago, what has the department done to contain cost and provide a framework for the benefits that are provided to the veterans?