Personalized Treatment Plans
Indica and Sativa are the two major types of cannabis plants which can be bred together to create hybrid strains. Each strain has its own variety of effects on the body and mind, resulting in a wide range of potential medicinal benefits. Hybrid plants share some benefits from both Indica and Sativa plants, and can be considered the “best of both worlds.”
| Indica | Sativa |
|---|---|
| Best suited for night use | Best suited for day use |
| Sleep aid. Relaxes muscles | Uplifting & energizing |
| Relieves headaches & migraines | Helps with depression |
| Decreases nausea | Promotes creativity |
| Helps with anxiety | Stimulating head high |
When heated, the THC and CBD in the cannabis will become activated. It is believed that when these compounds enter the body, they act to prevent the activation of nerve signals from the site of pain from being perceived by the brain.
| Type | Inhaled (Vaping/Smoking) | Ingested (Oil or Capsules) |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | 5-10 minutes | 1-3 hours |
| Duration | 2-4 hours | 6-8 hours |
| How it’s absorbed | Through the lungs directly into the bloodstream | From the GI tract and metabolized in the liver before entering the bloodstream |
*Many patients are looking for their medicine to be helpful for immediate and long term relief. As mentioned, dry cannabis is great for your immediate relief as it kicks in within minutes and oils are great for long lasting relief. As dry cannabis lasts 2-4 hours, many patients will take oils shortly after using the dry cannabis, as oils generally take 1-3 hours to kick in. The effects of dry cannabis should start to wear off as the oils start to kick in, providing relief for many hours continuously.
Smoking the dried flower from the cannabis plant is a common method of ingestion, but is not recommended by Cura Cannabis Clinic or Health Canada due to the health risks associated with smoking. The smoke generated from burning papers and lighter fluid chemicals contains carcinogenic compounds.
Vaping, a smokeless, efficient form of inhalation, is the process of heating dried cannabis to a temperature below its combustion point of 392°F. The dried cannabis flower is only heated to the point where the desired cannabinoids (typically found in the resin of the flower), are released without igniting/destroying the material.
| Type | Medical Cannabis | Recreational Cannabis |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Medical Cannabis is prescribed by a doctor to treat specific health conditions and symptoms such as pain, sleep issues, stress or anxiety. | Recreational cannabis is taken by a person for enjoyment rather than for medical, health or wellness reasons. |
| Medical Advice & Treatment Support | Our patients all receive a personalized treatment plan to ensure that they are most successful. This includes strain advice, dosing recommendations, follow-ups and support. | Retail staff at recreational stores are unable and unqualified to give medical strain or dosing advice. |
| Where you can purchase | Medical cannabis is ordered online and mailed directly to the patient from a Health Canada approved Licensed Producer, there is no middle supplier. | Since October 17, 2018 you can buy cannabis for recreational use online and in some provinces, in stores. This process has several middle suppliers. |
| Cost | Some LP's are committed to ensuring patients have access to affordable medicine and will ensure all dried cannabis is no more than $8.50/gram and will absorb the excise tax. | Recreational cannabis is often more expensive and is subject to an additional excise tax of 10% or 1$ per gram. |
| Insurance Coverage | Some insurance companies may cover medical cannabis prescribed by a doctor. You may also claim your medical cannabis as a medical expense. | Recreational Cannabis is paid for out-of-pocket and is not eligible for insurance coverage. |
| Discounts | Some LP's offer compassionate pricing. This discount is usually 10-30% off the price of the medicine , eligible for those who receive a low income, who are on disability or who are a veteran. | There are no proposed discounts for recreational cannabis. |
| Tax deductable | Medical Cannabis is tax-deductible as a medical expense. Save your medical cannabis receipts from your LP and submit these when doing your taxes. | Recreational cannabis is not eligible for a tax deduction. |
| Limit Possession | Medical Cannabis Patients are allowed to possess 30x their daily prescription limit or up to a maximum of 150 grams, whichever is less. | The limit for purchasing and possessing recreational cannabis is 30 grams. |
