|
Ji_
γΓJirXENuEKChC
IV. DISPENSING CANNABIS
1. Valid ID
Dispensaries will only distribute to clients who present valid ID that identifies
them as clients of the dispensary.
2. Quantity Restrictions
Due to clientsf budget restrictions, health considerations, and personal
convenience, dispensaries must make available to clients the option to purchase
smaller or larger quantities at one time. To address concerns of diversion,
dispensaries must reserve the right to limit individual client purchases.
Dispensaries reserve the right to retain enough cannabis on site to fulfill all
potential patient needs.
3. Variety of Strains
In order to effectively treat a wide variety of symptoms and conditions, offering
a variety of strains is essential.
4. Cannabis Products
To address diverse client needs, it is important to have a variety of cannabis
products available. These products may include:
β’ Edible Products. Ideally some should be wheat, dairy and sugar-free, as
many clients may have to avoid these ingredients in their diets.
β’ Cannabis-infused cooking oil and butter. These can be used for cooking
or for direct oral ingestion.
β’ Hashish. This form of cannabis provides a concentrated dose of
cannabinoids, allowing a patient to consume less plant matter to
achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
β’ Tinctures. Typically alcohol-based and available in drops and/or spray
form, and designed to be absorbed through the mucous membranes in
the mouth. Glycerin-based tinctures can be effective for clients who do
not use alcohol.
5. Selection Support
Clients should be made aware of all relevant information about the strains,
such as the effects and organic cultivation status. Dispensary staff should
be well informed about the strains and products being distributed. Gathering
feedback from clients on the efficacy of each strain can provide valuable data to
equip staff in assisting clients to select the right strain. Cannabis should be
displayed in a well-lit and clean display area so that clients can properly view
and select their medications.
6. Handling and Storage
Clean hands, gloves or tongs must be used while handling the cannabis.
Cannabis should be stored in a cool, dark and dry location. It is essential that
cannabis be stored in food-safe containers to avoid any contamination during
storage or transportation.
7. Packaging
ideally, cannabis distributed by compassion clubs should be labeled. The label
should contain the name of the strain, batch, quantity, as well as clearly
indicate that it is for medical use and not intended for resale.
8. Pricing
Medical cannabis must be affordable to those in need. It is imperative that this
medicine be covered by provincial and private healthcare insurance plans, as are
pharmaceutical medicines used to treat the same conditions. In the meantime,
Clubs must strive to offer clients the lowest price possible, and attempt to
provide donations when available.
9. Sales Records
Individual client purchases must be accurately recorded with the goal of
improving individual treatment, as well as to ensure that quantities being
purchased do not suggest re-distribution. Clients may have access to this
information at any time.
10. Purchasing Options
Due to the severity of illnesses or the location of residence of some clients,
there should be alternatives to purchasing their medicine in person at the
dispensary. Some options include assigning a designated purchaser or caregiver,
providing a delivery service, and/or establishing a gmail-outh program. Since
due diligence must be taken to ensure the medicine goes directly to the client,
each dispensary should create clear procedures for such programmes.
11. Right to Refuse Service
Dispensaries must have the right to refuse service should a client not produce
valid I.D., interfere with the safe, friendly and secure environment for all
clients and staff and with the smooth daily operations around the distribution
of cannabis, or if they become rude, violent or disrespectful of the staff, fellow
clients, or members of the community at large.
12. Visitors
To support dispensary clients who are traveling away from their home
community, dispensaries can, at their discretion, offer medicine to clients of
other clubs that adhere to the basic eligibility guidelines (see above Section II).
To ensure proper documentation, all visitors must provide the following to the
host dispensary:
- Valid cannabis club/state program card and/or Health Canada license.
- Healthcare practitionerfs statement from another cannabis club/state
program or a medical marijuana prescription. (Canadian license holders
do not need to submit this)
- Picture identification.
- A signed release of information form so that information can be verified
with clubs and state registries. (Health Canada does not have a system
for verification.)
- A signed consent form.
- Visitors from the USA must also sign a waiver declaring that any
cannabis procured from the dispensary is for their use in Canada only.
Once approved, visitors should be permitted a certain number of visits per year
after which they must become full clients (i.e. pay any registration fees and
participate in the registration process) in order to access services.
|
