Resources

COVID-19 has changed the way that Canadians access healthcare. Online doctors have become more commonplace in 2020 and we are glad to be able to continue to see all Canadians from coast to coast virtually through a secure online platform. *While we normally do offer in-person consultations at one of our 5 locations, all of our appointments are currently done virtually via telephone or a secure video-platform (webcam), and can be done from anywhere across Canada.   What’s an online/virtual medical cannabis appointment and why are you offering them? Apollo’s virtual appointments provide Canadians with access to a healthcare practitioner…

Welcome to the 11th episode of our Medical Cannabis Now series. With the New Year approaching, we wanted to go over Healthy Living as we all begin to consider our New Year’s Resolutions. In this episode, Kim covers a wide range of topics that apply to our overall health. As the weather gets colder and the days become shorter, mental and physical health becomes more important than ever – and these two are closely intertwined. This episode discusses the importance of good gut health, combating seasonal affective disorder, exercise, social support, and how the endocannabinoid system can affect them.  …

Episode 10: Migraines & Medical Cannabis Welcome to the 10th episode in our Medical Cannabis Now series! This month, Arash Taghvai, MD.,  discusses a few different types of headaches, how medical cannabis can play a role, and he’s prepared a couple of case studies at the end alongside answering your questions. We’ll help you understand what causes headaches and what we often see in the clinics of patients looking for relief for not only migraines but co-existing conditions. Thank you to all those who did send questions in and please enjoy!   Migraine Types, Causes & Symptoms This episode we…

Safety Tips For Cold & Flu Season As the colours change and we head into fall, we also unfortunately enter into the cold & flu season. Due to COVID-19 this year, it’s even more important that we do as much as possible to protect ourselves and those close to us from illness. The flu is highly contagious and leads to thousands of hospitalizations each year – including thousands of deaths within Canada alone. Education is key of course, and we’re here to provide some insight about the cold and flu season to help keep you healthy all winter long. What’s…

Does medical cannabis come in pill or capsule form? Yes, medical cannabis comes in pill form. These edible pills—also called capsules, softgels, or tablets—offer an alternative to inhaling cannabis (e.g., vaporizing or smoking) and ingesting cannabis oils.   What are medical marijuana capsules? How are they different from other forms of cannabis? Medical cannabis capsules are filled with cannabis extract that has been blended with a food-grade carrier oil, usually sunflower oil or MCT oil. They can contain only THC, only CBD, or a mixture of the two. CBD and THC oil pills are eaten/ingested instead of inhaled. They are…

Medical Cannabis and Insurance More than 17 years after cannabis was first legalized in Canada for medical use, some insurers are just beginning to cover the cost of the medication. Slowly things are changing for the better as companies are being given the option from insurers to include medical cannabis. However, many plans limit coverage to just a handful of medical conditions that qualify and do not cover the cost of medical cannabis for most users. But don’t fret – if your health insurance plan includes a Healthcare Spending Account (HCSA or HSA), you are likely able to claim medical…

What’s a Vaporizer / What is ‘Vaping’ A vaporizer is a device that allows you to inhale cannabis vapor Vaporizing is a smokeless, efficient form of inhalation; the process of heating up dried cannabis to a temperature below its combustion point of 392°F. Using a vaporizer requires finely grinding up dried cannabis flower, which is then heated to the point where the desired cannabinoids (typically found in the resin of the flower), are released without igniting/destroying the material. Vaporization Health Canada and Apollo Applied Research Inc. recommend that medical cannabis be administered by vaporization. Research has shown that vaporization can…

Everything you need to know about THC Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly known THC, is one of over 60 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. THC is a cannabinoid that produces the “high” or intoxicating effect that most people associate with using cannabis. It is a psychoactive cannabinoid and can produce mind-altering effects in the consumer. The average cannabis strain is believed to have contained an average of less than 10% THC during the 1980s, whereas modern strains demonstrate an average THC percentage of 15%, with some strains testing as high as 30%. Cannabis has certainly evolved as people have continued to discover the…

What are Terpenes? Terpenes are the oils that give cannabis its smell and flavor, but they may also have potential medicinal benefits. Cannabis plants can contain multiple terpenes—and the combination helps make each strain (or type) unique. This means cannabis plant breeders have many possible combinations and can grow a plant with specific characteristics, scents, and flavors in mind. The combination and ratio of cannabinoids & terpenes in each unique cannabis strain is part of the reason why cannabis can be such a personalized medication which may work for various conditions. You may have heard cannabis experts commenting on the…

Medical vs. Recreational Cannabis in Canada Under The Cannabis Act, both medical and recreational cannabis is now legal in Canada and millions of Canadians are taking advantage of this new freedom within the country. This new emergence of legal cannabis has some Canadians wondering what the difference is between medical and recreational cannabis, making it a popular topic of conversation within and external to the cannabis community. Worth noting, when examining the question of the differences between medical and recreational cannabis, it is important to acknowledge that consumption, and the intended effects of use, comes down to the intent and…