Who can benefit from medical marijuana?
Quite possibly your parents, grandparents, friends … even yourself, says Chris McAboy, owner of Bellevue’s The Novel Tree, which last year opened its medical marijuana clinic apart from its recreational shop.
“There’s a real need for true medical cannabis,” McAboy says. “As we spoke with guests in our recreational shop, it became clear a separate medically dedicated site was needed – a private space where people feel more comfortable opening up about cannabis and discussing their unique needs with a knowledgeable consultant.”
Designed as an inviting, but more clinical setting than the recreational business, Novel Tree – Medical staff all undergo extensive education and training before qualifying as a medical consultant. All are extremely knowledgeable about the many unique qualities and applications of medical cannabis, McAboy notes.
Who are their patients? They are people of all ages from all walks of life. They are people who are choosing natural relief over opioids for chronic pain. Cannabis helps alleviate symptoms from chronic pain, insomnia, arthritis, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s, nausea/vomiting/appetite loss, seizure disorders, effects of treatment for cancer and other ailments.
Supporting its patient-first philosophy, confidentiality of health information is paramount at Novel Tree, which also actively solicits patient feedback to it build their patient-focused menu.
What do clients want to know? The first questions for many first-time clients include whether they’re going to get high and whether they have to smoke the products. Because education is key to identifying the right product for an individual, medical consultants can discuss options like CBD, or Cannabidiol – without the psychotropic element of traditional marijuana – along with delivery methods like pills, creams, tinctures and edibles, McAboy says.
How safe are the products? With those first questions answered, clients are often curious about the quality and safety of medical cannabis – with questions about herbicides, pesticides and other unwanted elements. For that reason, the Novel Tree Medical Purchasing Program’s commitment to consistent, high-quality medical marijuana resonates with patients, McAboy says.
As a leader in both concept and execution of medical cannabis, prioritizing extensive testing and partner relationship development, “we ensure the product is certified through the Department of Health as pesticide-free or through third-party verification, and we do our own testing as well,” McAboy says.
Novel Tree – Medical also invests directly in its own research and development program.
“Through R&D we can continuously seek out innovative partners and drive the development of innovative products. In a new and growing industry, these core values are vital to the success of The Novel Tree – Medical Purchasing Program,” McAboy says.
