The CRC Québec is an organization serving patients who benefit from the medical use of cannabis. The centre has developed a program that ensures medical monitoring of treatment by physicians with expertise in the use of cannabis for medical purposes.
Medical care at the CRC Quebec and patient referral
Physicians affiliated with CRC Québec do not provide primary care to patients being assessed for MCRCI, nor to those for whom cannabis use may itself be a medical issue. They limit their care to matters related to the medical use of cannabis and the completion of the Medical Document for Medical Use (MDMU) as defined by Health Canada for the regulations governing marijuana for medical purposes, which allows patients to legally obtain and use cannabis. Follow-up visits regarding cannabis use are arranged as needed, but patients should return to their primary care provider for general medical care. Patients are encouraged to contact the centre directly. If their condition warrants consideration of cannabis treatment, patients will be assisted in gathering the appropriate medical information to confirm their condition, will be interviewed further by CRC Québec staff, and seen by one of the centre's affiliated physicians. A referral is not required. However, physicians are encouraged to refer their patients to the center to obtain answers to their questions about medical marijuana. The information required for patient referrals is outlined in the patient referral form (PDF). A consultation letter will be sent to the referring physician after the patient's visit with one of the center's affiliated physicians.
Cost to patients
CRC Québec is funded by patients enrolled in the centre's medical program. Services offered include assisting patients with gathering their necessary medical records, interviewing them about their conventional treatments and experience with medical cannabis, arranging a consultation with a physician affiliated with the centre, and providing guidance on the use of medical cannabis. Patient fees also cover the cost of uninsured medical services. Payment for in-person physician visits (including consultations for referred patients) is covered by provincial health insurance plans. Please note: CRC Québec office policy requires at least 24 hours' notice for appointment cancellations. Failure to provide sufficient notice may result in a missed appointment fee of $75.00.
Patient eligibility
There are no specific medical requirements for patients to possess marijuana for medical purposes. However, given that the use of marijuana for purposes other than medical use is prohibited under Canadian federal law, all patients wishing to be legal medical users must be able to provide documented evidence of a medical condition that justifies cannabis use. These conditions may include (but are not necessarily limited to):
- severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms of multiple sclerosis
- severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms due to a spinal cord injury
- severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from spinal cord disease
- acute pain, cachexia, anorexia, weight loss and nausea caused by cancer
- acute pain, cachexia, anorexia, weight loss and nausea caused by HIV/AIDS
- intense pain caused by severe forms of arthritis or fibromyalgia
- epileptic seizures
- abdominal pain, diarrhea or nausea caused by inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome
Glaucoma - sleep abnormalities
Physicians affiliated with CRC Québec act in accordance with their medical knowledge and code of ethics, and their decisions regarding the use of medicinal cannabis will be in accordance with this knowledge and the best interest of each patient.