Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Medical marijuana is becoming an increasingly accepted form of treatment for any number of ailments - from chronic pain to multiple sclerosis, to chemotherapy-induced nausea - and in Guelph, getting a prescription will soon be a little easier.
Canadian Cannabis Clinics, which bills itself as "Canada's largest network of cannabis-specialized medical clinics," is set to open a local clinic this month in the medical centre on Dawson Road.
"It looks like any other doctor's office," said company executive director Ronan Levy.
And in some ways, it operates like any other doctor's office. All the services provided are free to the patients, with the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) picking up the tab for the doctors' services.
But the clinic is also somewhat unique, because it specializes in one thing - helping patients get access to and effectively use medical marijuana.
It's filling an obvious patient need, said Levy.
He explained that in 2014, the regulations regarding marijuana for medical purposes changed, allowing anyone with the correct documents filled out by a licensed physician to purchase marijuana from an authorized producer.
That made doctors the gatekeepers, but many were not comfortable prescribing cannabis, because they felt the treatment was not supported by the same level of science as conventional drug treatments, Levy said.
"You had a world where a whole bunch of patients who were interested ... and a whole bunch of doctors who were saying 'I'm not going to touch it,'" he said.
Canadian Cannabis Clinics stepped in to try to fill the gap by connecting patients with the doctors who were willing to prescribe the drug.
"We work primarily on a referral basis," said Levy, explaining that patients would approach their own doctor first to seek a referral.
And not everybody who gets that initial referral walks away with a prescription for pot.
"We're actually quite rigid in screening patients to make sure they're suitable," said Levy.
Before patients get prescriptions, their medical records are checked to verify the need.
"We look to see whether they have a condition for which medical cannabis may be a therapeutic option," Levy said.
Cannabis has the ability to treat any number of conditions, but it is not appropriate in all circumstances, he said.
The other thing the clinic will look for is whether the patient has tried other options, he said.
"We look to see if that patient has tried conventional treatments without success," he explained.
About 60 per cent of the people who are referred will actually leave with a prescription, he said.
Levy offered glaucoma as an example of a condition for which patients would probably get turned away. The reason is that, while there is some evidence to suggest marijuana might help glaucoma patients, it is actually a treatment for which conventional treatments work better, so it doesn't make sense to prescribe cannabis, he said.
There are also situations, such as people who work in jobs operating heavy machinery, where medical cannabis might not be their right option, he said.
Age is also a factor. The benefits of cannabis use are unlikely to justify the risks to the developing brain, he said.
These factors are all considered in the initial screening.
The next step is an appointment with a doctor.
Currently, the clinic does not have a local doctor, but connects patients with physicians through the Ontario Telemedicine Network, a secure video-conferencing system.
The clinic uses international medical graduates, those who have completed medical school elsewhere but are not yet licensed to practice in Canada, to do physical exams on site.
Once patients get a prescription - usually for a three-month supply - counsellors on site will help them choose the right strain from a variety of licensed producers.
"The counselling is just a service we provide because we feel it is essential to the care," said Levy.
That service is also free to the patients.
"The only thing patients have to pay for is the cost of the cannabis itself," noted Levy.
The producers that choose to be a part of the clinic's partner program pay a fee to the clinic that covers the cost of providing the counselling service, he said.
It seems to be part of a growing market.
The counselling service the clinic provides is similar to that provided by the Tweed Main Street Shop that opened in Old Quebec Street last year.
Tweed is actually one of the licensed producers the clinic partners with, said Levy.
They will both help patients with choosing the right strain, the best way to use it, and with registering to obtain the product.
It is important to note that there is no marijuana on site, either at Tweed's shop or at the clinic.
Currently, people with a prescription have to order their marijuana and get it through the mail.
But another new business that just opened up in Guelph is hoping those regulations will change in the not-too-distant future.
The Cannabis Supply Co., which opened its doors last Friday on Speedvale Avenue, near Dawson Road, is offering a similar service to Canadian Cannabis Clinics.
Simply put, the business is offering to connect people via the telemedicine network, with doctors who will provide prescriptions for medical cannabis.
"This whole thing started because people were coming to us, saying 'how do we obtain a prescription legally,'" said store co-owner Josh Millar.
The business, which started with a location in Brantford, was originally a store selling supplies like bongs and vapourizers, but it has since expanded to offering clinical services, with some key differences.
Patients don't necessarily need a doctor's referral to see the Cannabis Supply Co.'s doctor. What they do need is money.
"We want $200 down," said Millar.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario has a policy on medical marijuana that prohibits physicians charging patients a fee for prescriptions.
But the initial $200 fee doesn't guarantee a prescription, said store manager Ryan Clark. "It's just the administration fee for setting up the appointment," he said.
In the initial appointment the doctor will usually prescribe a four-month supply, after which there will be a follow-up appointment — with a further $100 fee charged — where the patient can consult with the doctor about the treatment and possibly get the prescription renewed for another year.
There is an intake form that patients have to fill out as part of the screening process, and clinical services are not available to people under 25, said Clark. "And we don't allow anyone under 19 in the store," he added.
That is part of the business's commitment to protecting youth, he said.
Access to the store is generally restricted, with a lock and a buzzer system on the door.
"It's a precaution in anticipation of becoming a dispensary one day," said Clark.
In anticipation of legislation that will legalize marijuana for recreational use — something the government has said is coming in 2017 — the store is hoping to establish its brand in preparation for a time when it could actually carry the product on its shelves, said Clark.
"That is the long-term goal," said Millar. "But I think it is a few years away before the government will let us do that."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Getting A Prescription For Marijuana Is About To Become Easier In Guelph
Author: Jessica Lovell
Photo Credit: Jessica Lovell
Website: Guelph Mercury Tribune
Canadian Cannabis Clinics, which bills itself as "Canada's largest network of cannabis-specialized medical clinics," is set to open a local clinic this month in the medical centre on Dawson Road.
"It looks like any other doctor's office," said company executive director Ronan Levy.
And in some ways, it operates like any other doctor's office. All the services provided are free to the patients, with the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) picking up the tab for the doctors' services.
But the clinic is also somewhat unique, because it specializes in one thing - helping patients get access to and effectively use medical marijuana.
It's filling an obvious patient need, said Levy.
He explained that in 2014, the regulations regarding marijuana for medical purposes changed, allowing anyone with the correct documents filled out by a licensed physician to purchase marijuana from an authorized producer.
That made doctors the gatekeepers, but many were not comfortable prescribing cannabis, because they felt the treatment was not supported by the same level of science as conventional drug treatments, Levy said.
"You had a world where a whole bunch of patients who were interested ... and a whole bunch of doctors who were saying 'I'm not going to touch it,'" he said.
Canadian Cannabis Clinics stepped in to try to fill the gap by connecting patients with the doctors who were willing to prescribe the drug.
"We work primarily on a referral basis," said Levy, explaining that patients would approach their own doctor first to seek a referral.
And not everybody who gets that initial referral walks away with a prescription for pot.
"We're actually quite rigid in screening patients to make sure they're suitable," said Levy.
Before patients get prescriptions, their medical records are checked to verify the need.
"We look to see whether they have a condition for which medical cannabis may be a therapeutic option," Levy said.
Cannabis has the ability to treat any number of conditions, but it is not appropriate in all circumstances, he said.
The other thing the clinic will look for is whether the patient has tried other options, he said.
"We look to see if that patient has tried conventional treatments without success," he explained.
About 60 per cent of the people who are referred will actually leave with a prescription, he said.
Levy offered glaucoma as an example of a condition for which patients would probably get turned away. The reason is that, while there is some evidence to suggest marijuana might help glaucoma patients, it is actually a treatment for which conventional treatments work better, so it doesn't make sense to prescribe cannabis, he said.
There are also situations, such as people who work in jobs operating heavy machinery, where medical cannabis might not be their right option, he said.
Age is also a factor. The benefits of cannabis use are unlikely to justify the risks to the developing brain, he said.
These factors are all considered in the initial screening.
The next step is an appointment with a doctor.
Currently, the clinic does not have a local doctor, but connects patients with physicians through the Ontario Telemedicine Network, a secure video-conferencing system.
The clinic uses international medical graduates, those who have completed medical school elsewhere but are not yet licensed to practice in Canada, to do physical exams on site.
Once patients get a prescription - usually for a three-month supply - counsellors on site will help them choose the right strain from a variety of licensed producers.
"The counselling is just a service we provide because we feel it is essential to the care," said Levy.
That service is also free to the patients.
"The only thing patients have to pay for is the cost of the cannabis itself," noted Levy.
The producers that choose to be a part of the clinic's partner program pay a fee to the clinic that covers the cost of providing the counselling service, he said.
It seems to be part of a growing market.
The counselling service the clinic provides is similar to that provided by the Tweed Main Street Shop that opened in Old Quebec Street last year.
Tweed is actually one of the licensed producers the clinic partners with, said Levy.
They will both help patients with choosing the right strain, the best way to use it, and with registering to obtain the product.
It is important to note that there is no marijuana on site, either at Tweed's shop or at the clinic.
Currently, people with a prescription have to order their marijuana and get it through the mail.
But another new business that just opened up in Guelph is hoping those regulations will change in the not-too-distant future.
The Cannabis Supply Co., which opened its doors last Friday on Speedvale Avenue, near Dawson Road, is offering a similar service to Canadian Cannabis Clinics.
Simply put, the business is offering to connect people via the telemedicine network, with doctors who will provide prescriptions for medical cannabis.
"This whole thing started because people were coming to us, saying 'how do we obtain a prescription legally,'" said store co-owner Josh Millar.
The business, which started with a location in Brantford, was originally a store selling supplies like bongs and vapourizers, but it has since expanded to offering clinical services, with some key differences.
Patients don't necessarily need a doctor's referral to see the Cannabis Supply Co.'s doctor. What they do need is money.
"We want $200 down," said Millar.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario has a policy on medical marijuana that prohibits physicians charging patients a fee for prescriptions.
But the initial $200 fee doesn't guarantee a prescription, said store manager Ryan Clark. "It's just the administration fee for setting up the appointment," he said.
In the initial appointment the doctor will usually prescribe a four-month supply, after which there will be a follow-up appointment — with a further $100 fee charged — where the patient can consult with the doctor about the treatment and possibly get the prescription renewed for another year.
There is an intake form that patients have to fill out as part of the screening process, and clinical services are not available to people under 25, said Clark. "And we don't allow anyone under 19 in the store," he added.
That is part of the business's commitment to protecting youth, he said.
Access to the store is generally restricted, with a lock and a buzzer system on the door.
"It's a precaution in anticipation of becoming a dispensary one day," said Clark.
In anticipation of legislation that will legalize marijuana for recreational use — something the government has said is coming in 2017 — the store is hoping to establish its brand in preparation for a time when it could actually carry the product on its shelves, said Clark.
"That is the long-term goal," said Millar. "But I think it is a few years away before the government will let us do that."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Getting A Prescription For Marijuana Is About To Become Easier In Guelph
Author: Jessica Lovell
Photo Credit: Jessica Lovell
Website: Guelph Mercury Tribune
