With the new regulations in place, there is an opportunity for doctors willing to prescribe medical marijuana to open clinics specialized in patient care based on the use of medical marijuana.  With a limited number of clinics available to patients, doctors can create a place that could service these patients and work with them to help them gain access in a way that is beneficial and non-judgmental.  A new patient care offering by doctors allows them to work with patients to relieve the symptoms they’re suffering from and help them improve their quality of life.

Under the new rules introduced in April 2014, medical marijuana patients are no longer licensed by the government to grow for personal use or to buy from a designated grower; they must now get prescriptions for cannabis from a doctor or nurse practitioner. Patients must then buy their cannabis from a licensed commercial grower of which there are 13 MMPR Authorized Licensed Producers of Marijuana In Canada as of the summer of 2014.

There is reluctance by many doctors to prescribe pot, but under the new rules, it has created a business opportunity for those doctors willing to meet patient demand for medical marijuana.  Under the legislation, patients don’t need a referral but must provide documentation of the medical condition for which they want pot.   Most doctors willing to prescribe medical marijuana must examine patients and they must have qualifying conditions including HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, fibromyalgia, anxiety and depression.

If a patient is prescribed medical cannabis, most clinics will usually charge a fee for services.  Dr Ryan Yermus, who opened a facility in on Danforth ave. in Toronto called Medical Marijuana Clinics of Canada, charges an annual fee of $200 for a safety monitoring system.  That basically means the clinic will follow up with patients to ensure there are no side effects, and patients will be able to contact doctors if they have any concerns or questions arise.   The initial visit to the doctor is covered by Ontario’s health plan OHIP.

Dr. Danial Schecter will be opening the Cannabinoid Medical Clinic in July 2014, a referral-only clinic at the corner of Younge st. and Eglinton Ave E. in Toronto.   For a fee, they will offer ancillary services, such as advanced cannabinoid education and assistance in filling out forms for the licensed producer.  Such services are optional and can be purchased individually or as a bundle for $200.

The Vancouver based clinic Medicinal Cannabis Resource Centre Inc. is also currently scouting locations for two walk-in clinics in Toronto.

As the industry expands, we will try to provide additional coverage on further clinics that open up in Canada.  Of course, as the medical marijuana industry continues to expand, we expect more doctors will be opening up medical marijuana clinics throughout Canada. If we find a business opportunity or an investment opportunity to participate in the opening and operating of medical marijuana clinics in Canada, we will present them on the www.investinmj.com website.