New Halifax cannabis clinic hopes to be alternative to opioids

A new medical marijuana clinic will open itsdoors in Halifax later this summer, with itsdirector hoping to offer an alternative to opioids and other pharmaceuticals.

"We want to be able to provide a really sound and thorough method so people will understand that there are very significant alternatives that they need to look at," says Kenny Lord, director of National Access Cannabis' Atlantic region.

Overdoses drop: study

Between 2007 and 2010, almost 300 people died fromprescription drug overdosesin Nova Scotia,77 per centmore deaths than those due to illicit drugs in the same time period, according to the Canadian Journal of Addiction Medicine.

The Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons recently recommended doctors cut in half the frequency ofprescribedopioidsfor chronic pain, and to stop considering opioids as afirst method of treatment for chronic pain.

That could leave space for alternatives, such as cannabis, to surface, Lord said.

• Medical marijuana use linked to lower prescription drug use

Prescriptions written on-site

National Access Cannabis is a chain of "information clinics"with locations in Ottawa and Vancouver,and up to 40 more to come, Lord said. The location in Halifax will be on Spring Garden Road.

It alsowill have doctors on-site to give prescriptions to eligible patients, and staff will helppeople navigate the medical cannabis system.

The clinic itself is still under construction,but if the Ottawa and Vancouver locations are any indication,itwill lookdifferent than other dispensaries or head shops in town.

• Dalhousie researcher investigates use of marijuana for arthritis pain

Not only for 'underachievers'

It will havestark white walls, modern furniture, and a shiny glass display case full of state-of-the-art vaporizers, a look carefully crafted.

"I used to think that you could identify a cannabis user because he was the person walking around with his head in the clouds, or the underachievers," Lord said.

"Cannabis is coming to a light where it should have been a long time ago."

Fees could be 'extremely cost prohibitive'

While the chain prides itself on spreading knowledge about cannabis,its advice isn't free. The clinic'sservices cost anywhere from $100 to $250, plus a $50 annual membership fee.

That could be a barrier for the people that would benefit most, according to Debbie Stultz-Giffin, founder of Maritimers Unite for Medical Marijuana.

"It makes it difficult for patients who live on low fixed income. If there are additional fees attached to how they're going to access that medicine, then it certainly becomes extremely cost-prohibitive," she said.

No pot at the clinic

The clinic won't be keeping cannabis on location. Under current laws, it must be mailed to patients through Health Canada.

That could change in the coming months. The company islobbying Health Canada in hopes of becoming a go-to vendor for the distribution of medical cannabis, Lord said.

• Cole Harbour marijuana dispensary Tasty Budd's loses in appeal process