Patient resources

 

Medical cannabis

 

 

Medical cannabis is a prescription drug consisting of the medicinal components of the dried flower from the female cannabis plant.

The endocannabinoid system has many receptors throughout the body. This system of receptors helps the body maintain homeostasis, or in other words, helps balance the systems of the body.

There are two main receptors of the endocannabinoid system

  • CB1 – Primarily located on nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, but also found in some peripheral organs and tissues such as the spleen, white blood cells, endocrine gland, parts of the reproductive system and gastrointestinal and urinary tracts

  •  CB2 – Primarily located in our immune system and play a large role in inflammation. The body creates molecules called endocannabinoids.

There are two main CB2 receptors, Anandamide, and Arachiodonylglyercol

These bind with the receptors to achieve different effects such as decreased pain, decreased stress, and improved mood. Some of the medicinal components of cannabis mimic the body’s own cannabinoids. Therefore, they can also react with the CB1 and CB2 receptors to help maintain homeostasis. We call these components Phyto (meaning plant) cannabinoids.

There are over 100 different Phyto cannabinoids however, the two most common and understood ingredients are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

THC is a cannabinoid which interacts with parts of the central nervous system involved with memory, pain, fertility, concentration and more. It produces psychoactive effects, and it is utilized as a mood stimulant, pain control and appetite stimulation.

CBD is a cannabinoid which interacts with parts of the peripheral nervous system and immunoregulation. It does not produce psychoactive effects and can help with pain, inflammation, and anxiety, among other conditions. CBD can also reduce the psychoactive effects of THC.

Conditions typically treated

Medical cannabis has been used or studied clinically for many conditions, but the most common applications for which there is the most clinical and user evidence are:

  • Chronic Pain

  • PTSD

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Stress

  • ADHD

  • Arthritis/Inflammatory conditions

  • Insomnia

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

  • Cancer (symptoms related to chemotherapy treatment such as pain, nausea, appetite loss

  • HIV/AIDS (symptoms such as appetite loss, nausea, fatigue)

  • Fibromyalgia

Interesting preliminary clinical investigations have shown cannabis may be helpful for treating:

  • Cancer (destroying or inhibiting cancer cell growth, improving the effectiveness of radiation treatment)

  • Epilepsy

  • Crohn’s disease/Colitis/IBS

  • Schizophrenia

  • Autism

  • Alzheimer’s

  • Erectile dysfunction/Impotence

  • Hepatitis C

  • ALS

  • CRPS (aka RSD)

  • Parkinson’s Disease

Who should avoid medical cannabis?

Patients with a history of heart disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or other diseases of the airways), drug/alcohol abuse/dependence, or with a serious mental condition (e.g. schizophrenia) should consult their doctor before trying cannabis. You should also avoid cannabis if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, planning to get pregnant, or if you are allergic to any cannabinoids.

Medical cannabis vs. medical marijuana

We prefer to call marijuana by its scientific name cannabis. “Marijuana” is basically a slang term for cannabis. The terms “medical cannabis” and “medical marijuana” refer to the exact same plant and can be used interchangeably.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

I'm concerned about the effects of smoking cannabis on my lungs - are there other ways of consuming it?

I’m concerned about the effects of smoking cannabis on my lungs – are there other ways of consuming it?

Smoking is the least recommended method of consuming medical cannabis.

The healthier alternative is to “vaporize” the product with a vaporizer. This provides an almost equal response time as smoking. There is also less lingering smell and you are able to easily control your dosage with the device.

Other common delivery methods include:

– Edibles (either by ingesting capsules or infusing your medicine with food)

– Topical creams

– Tinctures

Can you use cannabis while on other medication?

As with many medications, different combinations can have unpredictable effects. You should always consult your doctor before combining any medications.

Is medical cannabis legal?

Patients who qualify for our services will receive legal authorization (i.e. a prescription) from our physician specialists. Clients with current authorizations may carry up to a month’s supply or a maximum of 150g of Health Canada-approved product from a licensed producer. NOTE: This applies within Canada only – travel outside of Canada with your medical cannabis is not permitted.

Can I just self-medicate now that cannabis is legalized?

Self-medicating can be risky and inefficient. There are over 1000 different strains of cannabis and over 100 different terpenes within the cannabis plant – all of them have different effects. It’s very likely that only some strains will help with your medical condition. In fact, depending on the condition being treated, some strains could actually make your medical condition worse.

Choosing the right strain is just the beginning, only an experienced medical professional can prescribe the appropriate dosage for you, delivery method, and time of day to medicate.

Using cannabis as a medicine is incredibly complex – two people with the same ailment but different medical histories could be prescribed entirely different cannabis strains and dosages. At Canada House, we personalize every treatment plan to you.

Is medical cannabis covered by insurance?

Some insurance plans do cover medical cannabis. You must check with your provider to get the most up-to-date information about your policy.

If you are a veteran, you may have coverage through Veterans Affairs Canada.

Medical cannabis is regulated under the Narcotic Control Regulations and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, but it does not have a Drug Identification Number (DIN) which is required for provincial and third-party formulates (medical plans).

Medical cannabis expenses can be claimed on your income tax return under the Medical Tax Credit.

How much cannabis do you need to take and how often do you take it

Medical cannabis prescriptions vary depending on the patient’s condition and the strain of cannabis. Your doctor can help you determine the right dosage for your situation. The average use of cannabis for medical purposes is from 1 to 3 grams per day. If you are just beginning to use cannabis, you should start with a small dose and increase it gradually until you reach a comfortable level.

What are the side effects of medical cannabis use?

The side effects of cannabis vary depending on the person, the strain of cannabis, and how the two interact.

Negative effects range from drowsiness and loss of focus to agitation leading to fear and paranoia. Such effects are temporary and go away within a few hours.

Can I carry cannabis with me on trips outside of Canada?

At this time, most other countries do not allow marijuana use or possession for any purpose. We do not recommend traveling internationally with cannabis.

Is it safe to use medical cannabis?

There have been no recorded deaths from cannabis use or abuse and we only work with licensed producers approved by Health Canada. Licensed producers are required to follow stringent manufacturing procedures and regular inspections by Health Canada.

How do I prove to authorities that I am authorized to possess medical cannabis?

Your proof of “authorization to possess” can either be the label(s) on your medication(s) and/or the invoice that comes with your medicine. Please note that ID cards provided by your licensed producer ARE NOT sufficient to prove lawful possession if you are questioned by authorities.

I'm a veteran and my coverage has been reduced to 3 grams/day. Is there a way to have it increased?

If you are being treated for a mental health condition such as PTSD, yes. We offer what’s called a “Second Level Assessment” service that involves a screening with one of our Cannabinoid Therapy Educators (CTEs) followed by an appointment with our psychiatrist to ensure we capture all the information required to apply for your increase in coverage.

If you would like to inquire about your eligibility for an increase in coverage, please contact your nearest Canada House Clinic.

Can I grow my own medical cannabis?

Yes. Canada House offers prescriptions to grow your own cannabis. Prescriptions will not exceed 20 grams/day and are renewed every 12 months. The cost is $249 annually. If our prescriber provides a prescription and Health Canada denies your application, we are not liable for reimbursement of this service. We guarantee reimbursement should our prescribers issue a prescription less than 5 grams per day. This fee is waived for Veterans who have a split prescription with a licensed producer for a minimum of 3 grams/day.

After acquiring a prescription, you must register with Health Canada. Your 12-month prescription to grow cannabis does not begin until Health Canada has approved your registration.

Canada House only provides education on medical cannabis fundamentals, strain selection, terpenes, and plant selection for symptom control. We do not provide education on growing cannabis, applying to Health Canada, or current laws and regulations.