Medical Cannabis FAQ Ontario
Medical cannabis can be confusing for patients who are unsure about eligibility, referrals, OHIP coverage, dosing, product selection, safety, and follow-up care.
At Sethi Cannabis Clinic in Burlington, Dr. Jagmeet Sethi, MD, FRCPC provides physician-led medical cannabis consultations for Ontario patients. The purpose of the consultation is to review your symptoms, medical history, previous treatments, and whether medical cannabis may be clinically appropriate for your situation.
Consultations are covered by OHIP for eligible Ontario residents. Medical cannabis products themselves are paid for by the patient.
OHIP Coverage and Referrals
Is a medical cannabis consultation covered by OHIP?
Yes. Medical cannabis consultations and follow-up visits with Dr. Sethi are covered by OHIP for eligible Ontario residents. Patients do not pay a consultation fee. Medical cannabis products themselves are not covered by OHIP and are paid for by the patient.
Do I need a referral for a medical cannabis consultation?
For in-person visits in Burlington, patients can book directly without a referral. For virtual video consultations across Ontario, a physician referral is required under OHIP rules. Referrals can be faxed to the clinic.
What symptoms are commonly assessed during a medical cannabis consultation?
Patients commonly seek assessment for symptoms such as chronic pain, sleep difficulty or insomnia, anxiety symptoms, and menopause-related sleep disturbance. A consultation does not guarantee that medical cannabis will be prescribed. The treatment plan depends on a clinical assessment by Dr. Sethi.
Does a consultation guarantee a medical cannabis prescription?
No. A consultation does not guarantee a prescription. Dr. Sethi reviews your medical history, symptoms, previous treatments, potential risks, and whether medical cannabis is clinically appropriate before making any treatment recommendation.
What happens during the first consultation?
During the first visit, Dr. Sethi reviews your main symptoms, medical history, current medications, previous treatments, and treatment goals. If medical cannabis is appropriate, you may receive guidance on product type, dosing, safety, and follow-up.
Can medical cannabis help with insomnia or sleep problems?
Some patients seek medical cannabis consultation for sleep difficulty or insomnia. Whether it is appropriate depends on the cause of the sleep problem, other medical conditions, current medications, and prior treatment attempts. Dr. Sethi will assess whether medical cannabis is a reasonable option for your situation.
Can medical cannabis help with anxiety?
Some patients seek medical cannabis consultation for anxiety symptoms. Cannabis may not be appropriate for everyone with anxiety, and in some patients it may worsen anxiety or cause side effects. A physician assessment is important before considering treatment.
Can medical cannabis be considered for menopause-related sleep symptoms?
Some patients experiencing menopause-related symptoms, including disrupted sleep, may seek assessment for medical cannabis. Dr. Sethi reviews symptoms, health history, previous treatments, and whether medical cannabis may be appropriate.
Is medical cannabis safe?
Medical cannabis can have side effects and is not suitable for everyone. Possible concerns include sedation, dizziness, impaired driving, anxiety worsening, interaction with other medications, and effects on memory or concentration. Dr. Sethi guides patients on how to minimize size effects and maximize benefits from medical cannabis.
Will Dr. Sethi tell me what dose to take?
Yes, if medical cannabis is clinically appropriate, Dr. Sethi provides dosing guidance in detailed instructions and follow-up monitoring. Your plan may include instructions on how to start, how to increase slowly, what side effects to watch for, and when to follow up.
Can I drive after using medical cannabis?
You should not drive or operate machinery while impaired by cannabis. Cannabis can affect reaction time, alertness, coordination, and judgment. Patients should discuss driving safety with Dr. Sethi before starting treatment.
Where is Sethi Cannabis Clinic located?
Sethi Cannabis Clinic is located at 2349 Fairview St, Unit 215, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 2E3. The clinic phone number is 905-681-7676, and fax number is 905-681-7751. Email is staff@sclinic.ca
How do I book an appointment?
In-person Burlington appointments can be booked directly through the clinic website. For virtual consultations, a physician referral is required. Referral forms can be faxed to 905-681-7751