As of January 8th, Shoppers Drug Mart has officially become one of Canada’s newest legal cannabis dealers.
After acquiring a cannabis license from Health Canada in September 2018, the retail pharmacy chain has launched an online platform through which medical marijuana patients can get their prescriptions filled.
“As trusted medication experts, pharmacists have an important role to play in the safe and informed use of medical cannabis. Today’s announcement is a leap forward for those looking for professional oversight and trusted support in this area,” said Jeff Leger, President, Shoppers Drug Mart.
“Medical cannabis, like any prescribed medication, requires the same level of counsel from a healthcare professional. As medical cannabis is increasingly prescribed to Canadians for its therapeutic benefits, our goal is to enhance the service and support that patients receive through this process.”
Although the Shoppers’ online cannabis platform currently only serves patients in Ontario, the website states that the company is “working hard to be able to support all Canadian patients soon.”
The process
The company has partnered with ten major licensed marijuana producers including Aphria Inc., Aurora, Tilray among others, to provide legal cannabis products and accessories.
According to a press release, patients in Ontario can now bring their medical documents to a physical Shoppers Drug Mart location where their information will be processed.
They will then be contacted by specialized advisors from the Shoppers Cannabis Care Centre who will review their medical history and any contraindications based on current medications, and provide support with online registration and strain selection.
“For people living with chronic health conditions, like arthritis, the advice of a health professional and access to trusted guidance, is invaluable when considering the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes” says Janet Yale, President and CEO of the Arthritis Society.
There is no information provided about how long the process will take from start to finish.
