Cannabis has been shown to be amazingly therapeutic for treating health conditions, including arthritis, epilepsy, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, and much more. In fact, many people have chosen medical cannabis as their go-to source for alleviating symptoms. But what exactly is medical cannabis? Here’s what you need to know:
- Medical cannabis is used according to your medical condition. Cannabis contains both THC and CBD, as well as other cannabinoids and terpenes. There are many strains of cannabis available and each strain has a different CBD:THC ratio; this means each strain has a different effect. For example, according to the Dutch Office of Medicinal Cannabis, strains with high amounts of CBD may be more effective for inflammation, whereas THC-high strains may be suitable for alleviating Tourette syndrome. That said, a healthcare provider who specializes in medical cannabis can help you find a strain that is best for treating your condition.
- Medical cannabis is available through a prescription. As per Health Canada’s ACMPR (Access to Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes Regulations), you must quality for medical cannabis through a cannabis-prescribing health provider. Your doctor can refer you to this type of specialist (your doctor can fill in this form here). Or, if your doctor already specializes in cannabis, he or she can provide you with a prescription. If your doctor cannot help you with obtaining a prescription, you can contact a referral specialist such as Canna Relief for additional help.
- You cannot use street/illegal cannabis as personal medical cannabis. Street/illegal cannabis is NOT the same as medical cannabis. As we explain in our FAQ section, medical cannabis in Canada is governed by Health Canada. As a result, licensed producers (or LPs) must adhere to specific criteria before they receive a license to grow cannabis. LPs need to be inspected to ensure that their quality of cannabis is safe. So when you order medical cannabis from a licensed producer, your cannabis is consistent in both quality and strength. However, when it comes to cannabis purchased illegally from a non-controlled setting, there are no regulations. Your cannabis may contain mold or laced with other drugs; as a result, this could cause problems with any other medications you’re taking or illegal/unregulated cannabis could cause further health issues down the road.
Are you eligible for medical cannabis? Click here to fill in this form and a consultant from Canna Relief will get back to you shortly. You can also visit Canna Relief in Streetsville, Mississauga, at 133 Queen St. South to speak to an educator. No appointment is required, walk-ins are welcome.
References:
Medical Cannabis: Quick Guide for Patients by CannTrust Inc, 2016.