The new Medical Evaluation Form implemented by Civil Aviation Medicine in December 2018 now contains a question about cannabis use. Please see the TCCA letter to this effect (appended below).

A positive answer to the question about cannabis use in the past 12 months results in the following:

The Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) completes the examination, and must defer the renewal (if applicable).

The CAME forwards the application for assessment by the Regional Aviation Medical Examiner (RAMO).

The RAMO assesses the application. If necessary, the RAMO issues a letter to the applicant requesting further information from their healthcare provider to clarify the nature of the cannabis use, including: Reason for use (e.g. recreational or medical – if medical, then the underlying health condition requiring treatment) Frequency of use Dose Delivery method (smoking, vaped, ingested) Any history of a diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder Any other patterns of substance use that could affect aviation safety

Upon receipt of the additional information, the RAMO will reassess the application and provide a decision.

The decision will be communicated to the applicant, along with a reminder that cannabis use is incompatible with medical certification and aviation safety.

Bottom line, your choices are simple:

Do not consume cannabis; or lie about it, in which case a coroner might expose the truth.

COPA strongly recommends the first option.