Canada is on pace to spend $200 million this year on cannabis for veterans, as the federal government is reimbursing a record number of veterans for medical cannabis.
Ottawa spent more than $150 million in the last fiscal year, which is more than double the amount spent three years ago, according to a CBC News report.
The anticipated $200 million spent this year comes as thousands more veterans ask the government to cover their medical cannabis expenses, the news outlet reported.
The increased demand for medical cannabis likely stems from a 2008 court decision that required the government to provide “reasonable access” to cannabis when its use is authorized by a health care practitioner, according to CBC.