Looking for a prescription for medical pot, but not sure where to go in Burnaby? Not to worry; a first-of-its-kind mobile clinic is coming to town.
A Nanaimo-based company called Tilray is bringing its Mobile Cannabis Clinic to Burnaby on June 12.
The company said the idea behind the rolling medical pot clinic is to help connect patients with physicians who can address their questions and concerns about medical marijuana.
Philippe Lucas, Tilray’s vice-president of patient research and advocacy, said the whole goal of the clinic is to provide increased information, education and access for patients who might not otherwise have it.
“We really hope this provides a valuable service for prospective patients, for members of the general public who might want more information about the use for a loved one, and healthcare practitioners,” he told the NOW.
Tilray is still working out the details for the specific location in Burnaby and is urging the public to check its website in the coming days for updates. The clinic is offering the service free of charge.
Inside the clinic, the company said prospective patients will be able to discuss with a licensed doctor whether medical cannabis therapy is appropriate for them. Lucas noted there will be no marijuana on site, but anyone who is approved for the use of medical pot can get their order processed, if they choose to use the company as their supplier.
The clinic is doing a cross-country tour through the summer, stopping in a number of communities, including more than a half dozen in B.C.
Lucas explained Burnaby was chosen along with a handful of cities in the Lower Mainland for the clinic because the community is close to Vancouver, and people may have heard about medicinal marijuana but not found a good source or level of comfort to pursue treatment in the city.
He expects a lot of interest in the mobile clinic, noting other clinics are charging prohibitively high fees for the service.
And if this round of clinics works out, he said it’s possible the mobile pot clinic could make a return trip to Burnaby.
The company’s website said the mobile clinic will include physicians who will be available to assess whether individuals are suitable candidates for medical cannabis authorization, authorize medical cannabis for those deemed qualified, answer questions about medical cannabis and how it can be legally accessed in Canada and provide information about Tilray and the medical cannabis regulations in Canada.
