Information for Doctors and Patients
The Medicinal Cannabis Resource Centre Inc. (MCRCI) is an organization serving patients who benefit from the medicinal use of cannabis. The centre has developed a medical program which provides medical oversight of treatment by physicians who have knowledge in the use of cannabis for medical purposes.
Medical Care at MCRCI and Referral of Patients
Physicians affiliated with MCRCI do not provide primary care to patients seen for MCRCI, or provide care to those for whom use of cannabis may itself be a medical problem. They confine their care to issues related to the medical use of cannabis and the completion of the “Medical Document” defined in Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR), which enables patients to obtain and use cannabis legally. Follow up visits regarding cannabis use are arranged as needed, but patients are expected to return to their primary care provider for their general medical care. Patients are welcome to contact the centre directly. Should their medical condition merit consideration of treatment with cannabis, patients will be assisted in collecting the appropriate medical information to confirm their condition, be interviewed further by MCRCI staff, and seen by one of the centre’s affiliated doctors. A referral is not necessary.However, doctors are welcome to refer their patients, or to direct them to the centre for answers to their questions about medical marijuana. The information required for patients sent on referral is outlined in the Patient Referral Form (pdf). A consultation letter will be sent to the referring doctor following the patient’s visit with one of the centre’s affiliated physicians.
Cost To Patients
MCRCI is funded by patients enrolled in the centre's medical program (see “About MCRCI”). The services it provides include assisting patients in gathering their necessary medical files, interviewing them with regard to their conventional treatments and experience with medicinal cannabis, arranging consultation with a physician affiliated with the centre, and providing guidance in the use of medicinal cannabis. The charges to patients also cover the cost of any uninsured medical services. Payment of physician visits in person (including consultations for referred patients) is covered by Provincial Health Insurance Plans. Please note: The MCRCI office policy is to require at least 24 hours notice of cancellation of a booked appointment. Failure to provide adequate notice may result in a missed appointment fee of $75.00
Patient Eligibility
There is no specific medical requirement for patients to possess marijuana for medical purposes. However, in view of the fact that use of marijuana for other than medical purposes is prohibited under Canadian Federal Law, all patients who wish to be legal medical users must be able to present documented evidence of a medical condition which warrants use of cannabis. Such conditions may include (but are not necessarily limited to):
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Severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from multiple sclerosis
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Severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from a spinal cord injury
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Severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from spinal cord disease
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Severe pain, cachexia, anorexia, weight loss, and/or nausea from cancer
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Severe pain, cachexia, anorexia, weight loss, and/or nausea from HIV/AIDS infection
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Severe pain from severe forms of arthritis or fibromyalgia
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Seizures from epilepsy
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Abdominal pain, diarrhea or nausea from Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Glaucoma
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Sleep abnormalities
Physicians affiliated with MCRCI act in accordance with their medical knowledge and code of ethics, and their decisions in regard to the use of medicinal cannabis will be in accordance with that knowledge and the best interests of each patient.