Choosing a Licensed Producer (LP) can seem like a daunting task, but if you work with your doctor and put in the time you will find the right fit.
With a current total of 73 LPs in Canada there is no shortage of LPs to choose from (note that 32 of these LPs currently have sales licenses). It takes some research to get familiar with different LPs but it’s important to consider your options carefully before registering. You can only register with one LP at a time with the same medical document from the same doctor.
Getting Advice About LPs
When considering an LP you may get advice from friends, family, or someone other than your healthcare practitioner. Don’t put anyone’s advice above your healthcare provider’s. Feel free to get a second opinion, but keep in mind that your healthcare practitioner is your primary advisor.
Asking a healthcare provider is a common starting point for people regardless of whether they are new to cannabis or not. Most people consult their family doctors or visit specialized medical cannabis clinics to seek our advice.
Bear in mind that many specialized medical clinics partner with LPs. If you consult a doctor at one of these clinics he or she may recommend an LP based on one of these partnerships. Your regular doctor is less likely to have a partnership with an LP. Family physicians typically recommend LPs which they have experience with or they leave it up to their patients.
Doing your own research will be especially valuable if your doctor presents you with a few different LPs which provide similar products. Remember, your doctor can only submit one medical document to one LP.
Keep reading to find out which factors people consider before registering with a medical cannabis LP.
Medical Cannabis Products
Getting a the medical product you need is a simple process, in most cases. You see a doctor who tells you what you need and gives you a prescription. You fill the prescription at a pharmacy.
With cannabis, the process is a bit different because different cannabis products can affect different people in different ways. As a patient, you might have more of an active role in determining what to buy.
That’s why many people consider which products an LP offers before registering.
In all likelihood your doctor will recommend a product or strain then follow up with you after you try it. Your doctor may ask you to try different products or strains depending on your treatment history, so some people choose an LP based on which products they offer.
Keep in mind that not all LPs offer the same products, but all products sold by LPs are government approved.
Client Care
A big part of what makes a good LP is how they treat you. A good LP will provide compassionate support for their clients even though there are restrictions which prevent them from making claims about cannabis.
Most of us have had at least one regrettably negative experiences with customer service. Choosing an LP with good client care will keep you from getting frustrated when ordering your cannabis.
You may not be considering client care with regard to picking an LP because it’s not a topic that often comes to mind when buying products recommended by your doctor. That’s because most of the time you get a prescription filled at a pharmacy staffed by knowledgeable people prepared to answer your questions.
When it comes to cannabis you have to buy products online, so there’s no face-to-face interaction. That makes it all the more important to pick an LP which treats you like a client and not another faceless customer ordering online.
Find out if an LP has a client care department, how you can reach them, and their availability on the LPs website. Calling the LP will give you an idea of whether it will be a good fit for you.
It’s also a good idea to see whether an LP offers resources for clients or doctors. Check to see if the blog is up to date with helpful information and whether the website includes tools and resources for doctors. After all, you aren’t the only one who will be dealing with your LP.
How Does Your LP Work With Your Doctor?
Your doctor will also need to interact with your LP, so consider how that relationship might look when making your decision. The last thing you’d want is an LP which makes it needlessly difficult for your doctor to submit the necessary documentation.
Some medical professionals are still learning about cannabis strains, dosing, etc. because it is relatively new to the medical community.
Some LPs are helping medical professionals expand their understanding of cannabis by offering tools and resources for doctors. The medical community is still the medical authority, LPs can help doctors provide better patient care by making it easier for them to access relevant information.
INDIVA, for example, has created numerous tools and resources to assist doctors in promoting responsible cannabis use and providing quality healthcare.
Choose an LP You Believe In
Each LP has its own brand, and that brand represents what they believe in. If you don’t agree with an LP’s company philosophy regarding cannabis or anything else it may not be the LP for you.
For example, INDIVA is co-founded by long-time members of the cannabis community. We’re staying true to our roots and to our community by providing compassionate care while helping people access high-quality cannabis.
We’ve covered the main factors people consider when choosing an LP. The next step is finding which LP is right for you – just don’t rush and work with your doctor.