Do I need a referral to see Dr. Smith?
No, you do not need a referral, however we do accept referral from other doctors.
How long will it take to get an appointment?
For allergy and neurofeedback appointments, it takes usually 1-2 weeks. For cannabis consultations with Dr. Smith we are booking approximately 3 months in advance.
How long will my cannabis consultation take?
Your consult with Dr. Smith usually takes approximately an hour. If you are being tested for allergies it is done ahead of time so the results are available at the time you have your consultation. For those travelling from away, we can schedule you to have an allergy test and cannabis consultation the same day.
Successful use of medical cannabis requires choosing the right strain(s) of cannabis for your condition and the best delivery system to reduce symptoms for your specific condition. There is a learning curve with medical cannabis use and recognizing how to understand and read your own body's reactions to specific strains will help you achieve wellness.
Does a veteran, RCMP, first responder or civilian, require a referral or initial contact with any other organizations in order to make an appointment with Dr Paul Smith?
No - any person seeking an appointment with Dr Smith can make an appointment directly with his office by phoning the 506-455-2592 or emailing info@drpaulsmithclinic.com without any other referring group.
Dr Smith’s office will accept a referral from a number of sources. Referrals can come from another physician, advocacy group or simply self referral if initial criteria are met. These criteria can be discussed with the office staff at the above contact phone or email.
What criteria is required before an office appointment is made with this medical office?
1. A confirmation of diagnosis that is being considered for the use of Medical Marijuana treatment trials. This can be in the form of a referral from a physician, medical records, X-rays, etc… In lieu of these medical documents, an affidavit or sworn statement of confirmation of diagnosis by the patient.
2. A brief summary of previous treatments for your diagnosis.
3. A completed intro questionnaire, which is available at the office or by emailing info@drpaulsmithclinic.com. This is a very detailed questionnaire collecting additional important medical information that needs to be available prior to an appointment with the doctor.
What will I learn during the initial visit with the doctor?
Following the initial exchange of medical info for your diagnosis, a very specific plan for a trial of medical marijuana will be outlined. Using very careful titration with specific strains; detailed timing, modes of delivery, and appropriate social/work integration are discussed in conjunction with this therapy.
Follow up visits will be arranged, a witness program is implemented for safety and accountability, and a coaching arrangement will be made for ongoing future education for every patient.
If a prescription for a trial of Medical Marijuana is found to be an appropriate next step. What happens then?
The prescription is matched with an appropriate Canadian Licensed Producer or Producers (LPs). After receiving unbiased info regarding licensed producers for prices, strains, reliability and availability. Our office will also provide assistance for the sending of your initial prescription to the chosen LP. The LP will then contact each person within days to arrange purchase arrangements and options.
What prices do the Licensed Producers (LPs) charge? Are there discounts for people with lower income or for those with no third-party health coverage?
Prices range from $2 to $12 per gram depending on quality, speciality strains, LP and availability. Some LPs provide discounts based on earned income and/or disability status. Veterans affairs will cover the cost up to set limits depending on the diagnosis. Some third-party insurance companies are beginning to cover the cost, please check with your specific carrier’s coverage details for more information.
Why should I buy marijuana from a LP instead of from the street?
1. Street marijuana is less predictable and could potentially be very dangerous. Strains are often not known, so that can make them very disruptive for stability, sleep and safety. Impurities in street marijuana such as pesticides, chemicals and mould can be very dangerous. Impurities and deliberate psychoactive additives have been know to cause severe reactions and even death in extreme cases. Medical marijuana on the other hand is tested to ensure each batch grown by the designated LPs is mould, chemical, and pest-free before being shipped directly to your door. These strains are more predictable and are grown in strictly controlled conditions.
2. Street marijuana is still illegal for sale and purchase within Canada. It is only legal for patients to purchase Medical Marijuana from qualifying LPs.
3. The cost of street marijuana can often be just as high, if not higher than Medical Marijuana.
Now that I am legal, can I grow my own marijuana?
Due to the new regulations it is legal to grow up to 4 plants at home, for any household now.
Will I always be “stoned” when I use marijuana?
This answer is complex since it is dependent on the person and the strains being utilized. Some strains do not cause any psychoactive effects because of the low THC content or high CBD content, which has no psychoactivity. Most strains containing THC will cause an initial “stoned” feeling for the patient but with regular continuous use this impairment will reduce and disappear with time. Intermittent or occasional use will cause a “stoned” feeling every usage. The integration of social, work and driving activities is possible after proper training and usage education. These issues will be discussed during your appointment with the doctor and coaches.
Is Medical Marijuana for everyone?
Even though the applications for marijuana have become astonishingly huge, and the safety if properly used is outstanding, it is not for everyone, as with any treatment. The limits and safety parameters are very well outlined by Health Canada’s website for easy public review prior to anyone choosing it for a trial. (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marijuana/info)
Inform yourself and proceed cautiously. There is an intrinsic responsibility for self-education that each patient must accept, despite the assistance by the prescribing doctor. Even though the program for prescribing, implementation, education, and follow up is carefully designed by the physician, each patient must ultimately take the responsibility of monitoring and reporting any unusual or unexpected problems with the proposed usage of Medical Marijuana.
Even though the use of marijuana has been common since the beginning of humankind, outcomes can occasionally be unpredictable and undesirable, especially if used outside the limits as trained by your professional team.
How do I use medical marijuana and what modes of delivery can I expect to learn?
There are a variety of modes of delivery but 3 main modes are most common. Smoking and vaporizing are the first 2 and they are both similar with distinct advantages. Vaporizing if done correctly with the right temperature and with appropriate equipment is much safer, with little odor and is much more socially acceptable than smoke, which smell lingers while exposing the heart and lung to much more tar and contaminants than vaporizing. Both of these modes work within minutes and the duration of effect is the approximately 3 1/2 to 4 hours. The 3rd mode of use, which has now become more practical and efficient and is the most stable way to manage certain symptoms is the use of edibles and oils. Even though the onset is slower, the duration is 8 to 12 hours and is becoming the far more stable way to use marijuana. Details of use will be discussed during your initial appointment, along with the modes of delivery and potential strains that may help with your specific condition.
Why would I need an allergy test if I am coming for a cannabis consultation?
There are many conditions that have symptoms similar to an allergy reaction. Allergies are not just sneezing and itching. Anxiety, headaches and gastrointestinal issues can all be allergy related. Also, if you are using cannabis in an oil or butter, we test you for whatever you put your cannabis in. Often coconut oil or MCToils to make sure you are not reacting to them.
Who can get an allergy appointment?
Our allergy services are available to anyone and is covered by medicare. You don’t require a referral from your family doctor, but we do accept referrals. To book an allergy test, call our office at 506-455-2592 and say you would like to book an allergy appointment or click here
What to expect from my allergy test?
The appointment should take about an hour. The first part is an interview which helps determine what will be tested. Then a drop of the chosen serum is put on your skin, and the surface of the skin is “scratched” lightly. You will get a copy of your allergy results.
How often should I be allergy tested?
We recommend a test every six months. You can make great strides with food allergies if you eliminate your triggers and give your body a chance to reset, you can often reintroduce these foods in your diet successfully.