October 20, 2019

Recreational Cannabis – No Prescription Necessary

Cannabis is a complicated and evolving topic in the medical community.  Its fundamentally different than traditional prescription therapy since it can be used medicinally and recreationally.  And therein lies the rub, can recreationally sourced cannabis be used for medical purposes? Technically yes, however, there are several key factors to consider before you start self-medicating with cannabis from your local dispensary.  Below is a useful comparison of medicinal and recreational cannabis:

Recreational Cannabis Medicinal Cannabis
Pros:

  • Easy access via local dispensaries and Ontario Cannabis Store
  • Does not require a prescription to access
  • Large selection of products
 Pros:

  • Regular follow ups with the prescriber allows for close monitoring and dose adjustment
  • Some insurance providers include cannabis as part of their prescription coverage
Cons:

  • Lack of expert guidance to optimize treatment
 Cons:

  • Must see your doctor to obtain prescriptions for cannabis
  • The prescription is restricted to one supplier, severely limiting the variety of products available to you on the market
  • Medical cannabis is only obtained by mail order, and can take several days to arrive

Many Canadians are medicating with recreationally sourced cannabis, however, going down this route without professional guidance can be an overwhelming experience and in some situations be downright dangerous.

Even before selecting one of the hundreds of cannabis strains available, you will need to decide if you want to smoke, vaporize or ingest cannabis. Additionally, you will also need to determine if it’s safe to use cannabis for your medical condition, whether it’s compatible with your medications, what dose you may need, and consider how this all fits around your employment. 

The Apothecare team is made up of licensed pharmacists with clinical expertise in cannabis and specialize with optimizing recreationally sourced cannabis regimens.  We take a holistic approach to evaluating your medication/cannabis regimen to manage your health. Book a free 15-minute consultation to see if cannabis is right for you.