FAQs: Ontario Patients
Our Practice
What is the cost of a cannabinoid & integrative medicine appointment?
All physician / nurse practitioner visits are covered under OHIP for Ontario residents with a valid health card.
For patients booking an appointment with a referral from their primary care provider, there are no additional fees.
For patients who are accepted under our self-referral program, a one-time, non-refundable $65 fee will be applied at the time of booking, due to the additional administrative work required by our patient care team.
Medical notes, insurance claims forms and other items not covered by OHIP are also charged on an as needed basis and rates will be provided by our team.
What is your cancellation policy?
When you book your appointment you are holding space in our calendar that is no longer available to other patients. Appointments are in high demand and your advanced notice will allow another patient to access that appointment time.
If cancellation is necessary, we require at least 48 hours notice. Should you be unable to provide 48 hours notice, the following cancellation fees will apply and must be paid before you are rescheduled.
Cannabinoid & Integrative Medicine Appointments:
Initial Visits: $100 cancellation fee
Follow-up Visits: $50 cancellation fee
We will automatically email you an invoice following your outlined appointment time. Patients with more than two no-shows will no longer be scheduled.
When should I book my follow-up appointment?
Your follow up appointment will automatically be scheduled for you by our patient care team based on the recommended timeframe provided by your practitioner. Should you ever receive an appointment that does not work for you, simply contact our office and we’ll be happy to look at alternative dates and times.
Ordering Your Medication
How do I order and purchase my prescribed medical cannabis?
Before you are able to purchase your medication, you will need to register with your recommended Licensed Producer (LP). You can register online or by phone and you will receive clear instructions from the Pearson Health team, following your first appointment.
It can take up to 4-7 business days for the LP to process your registration. Once complete, you will receive an email or phone call from the LP, confirming you can place your order.
Following your Pearson Health appointment you will also receive the relevant contact details and instructions on what medication to order, along with a phone call from our team to walk you through the process. Your order will be shipped directly from Canada Post to your home, within 2-5 business days.
I haven’t received a confirmation email from my Licensed Producer (LP). What should I do?
If you haven’t received an email from the LP within one week of registering, please follow-up with your LP directly. If you’re still struggling, please call our office at 1 (519) 339-9233.
How long is my medical document (prescription) valid?
When initiating cannabinoid therapy with a new patient, our practitioners generally start with one-to-three months validity. If you are finding therapeutic benefit and your practitioner determines you are stable on cannabinoid therapy, they may authorize up to six months or more. To avoid any disruption in treatment, be sure to order more medication at least one week before running out, and well before your medical document expires.
What should I do if my LP has a product shortage and my medication is unavailable?
If your LP runs out of your medication, please contact their customer care team to find out the expected restock date prior to calling our office. Since product availability can be occasionally variable, we recommend ordering two or more bottles at a time, to avoid any gaps in your treatment. If you still encounter any issues, please contact our office and your practitioner will help you choose an appropriate alternative.
Medical Cannabis in Canada - The Basics
What is a Licensed Producer or LP?
A licensed producer is a generic term for a company licensed by Health Canada to grow, process, sell for medical purposes, test, and/or research cannabis. The Health Canada Licensed Producer system was designed to be a safe, secure production system for growing, processing, and selling cannabis for medical purposes. There are several hundred LPs currently selling medical cannabis in Canada which can be overwhelming for patients. Your Pearson Health practitioner will help you cut through the confusion and recommend the best options for you based on your individual needs.
What is a Medical Document?
A Medical Document is a Health Canada approved document that acts the same as a prescription. This form is completed by your practitioner and provided directly to your Licensed Producer (LP), so they have authorization for you to purchase their product.
Can I work while I’m on cannabinoid therapy?
Patients are advised to consult their employer/HR department before starting cannabinoid therapy. For patients in safety-sensitive roles, this is especially important: Some companies have a zero-tolerance policy for any type of cannabis and do not differentiate between recreational or medical use, or whether the preparation is CBD-dominant, THC-dominant or balanced. CBD does not cause impairment, however, there are small amounts of THC present in CBD-dominant products, which would test positive in a urine drug screen.
Can I drive while taking medical cannabis?
It is illegal to drive while impaired – and many medications, including those prescribed by a doctor or purchased over-the-counter, can impair your ability to drive safely. If you have been authorized to use cannabis or any other drug by a healthcare professional, it is your responsibility to ensure you are not impaired while driving. For more information, please click here.
What is the difference between medical and recreational cannabis?
Medical cannabis is that which has been prescribed by a physician or nurse practitioner to treat specific health conditions and symptoms; whereas, recreational cannabis is generally taken for enjoyment rather than for medical purposes. Some people who use recreational cannabis are knowingly taking it to address a medical symptom, but self-medicating comes with risks, including potential drug-to-drug interactions, contraindications with other medical conditions and over-medicating, which can cause impairment leading to accidents. Treating an undiagnosed condition without proper medical oversight is also a concern.
Other benefits of medical cannabis:
Medication is produced by a Health Canada Licensed Producer, which ensures consistent quality & safety of product
Personalized treatment plan created by an experienced doctor or NP
May be covered by your private insurance policy
Discounts available for those with low income, veterans, seniors and other groups
Tax deductible as a medical expense
Consistency of product: many LPs guarantee their supply will be prioritized for medical cannabis patients. This ensures you always have access to the exact formulation you need.