Fall Newsletter 2020

A warm hello to our Harvest Medicine patients. We hope that the change in seasons has been a good one for you all. This is our second quarterly newsletter, and we’d like to share some important news to keep you informed and up to date! 

At the time of writing, we are unfortunately seeing case increases across Canada. We understand that the situation and resulting disruptions to everyday life are extremely challenging not only from a practical standpoint but also from a mental health standpoint. It’s our sincere hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe and well. 

The majority of our clinic locations remain closed in compliance with provincial guidelines, with patients being supported via telehealth and online using our HMED Connect app.

Call 1-844-488-4633, email us at info@hmed.ca or click here to book your appointment. While virtual and telemedicine appointments are convenient for many, some patients do prefer the 1:1 experience of an in-clinic visit, and we look very forward to offering this option again as soon as it is safe to do so for both patients and staff. 

We are pleased to announce that we are seeing patients for in-clinic visits on a limited basis at our Cole Harbour location in Nova Scotia. Please call our Patient Care team to inquire about in-clinic visits at this location. 

You are welcome to review our blog post on COVID-19 clinic protocols, and we hope to share good news regarding clinic re-openings in Alberta and New Brunswick as soon as we are able to do so. 

As you may be aware, earlier this year Health Canada extended the expiry date of medical documents for some patients by 6 months, due to COVID-19.  You can read the official announcement here at the Health Canada website. 

For those who have not yet renewed, again, we encourage you to book your renewal appointment to receive a new medical document at your earliest convenience as there are benefits to staying up-to-date and in the medical stream. If you are unsure about your medical document, you are welcome to: 

If you need to book a renewal appointment, you can do so by:

You have options! HMED Connect allows patients to book an appointment, speak to a healthcare professional and patient educator, as well as complete questionnaires… on your phone, tablet, or computer from the comfort of your home…free of charge! It’s easy to use and hassle-free, and next-day appointments may be available. Our support center team will even help you download the app and book your next visit! 

HMED Connect virtual appointments are available for residents of British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon. Due to provincial regulations, Alberta patients do not have access to HMED Connect, but may still book telemedicine appointments by clicking here. 

Has medical cannabis improved your quality of life? Did you have a great experience with Harvest Medicine? Then tell a friend! Patient polls have shown that many people who investigate medical cannabis have done so because a trusted friend or family member has shared their story. Information sharing via word of mouth is one of the most wonderful aspects of the medical cannabis community, plus as a small business, we truly appreciate your referrals! If you know someone who may be struggling, seeking alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals, or simply at the end of their rope and looking for options, you CAN make a difference. It’s about increasing awareness, reducing stigma…and patients helping other patients! 

We welcome Dr. Roop Randhawa to the Harvest Medicine Team! Dr. Randhawa is an anesthesiologist and pain specialist based in British Columbia. Patients across Canada* who have been diagnosed with chronic pain or are living with chronic pain as a result of arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, degenerative disc disease, post-op trauma/pain, MS, or other conditions are welcome to see Dr. Randhawa via a virtual HMED Connect appointment. Please note that visits with Dr. Randhawa will require a referral from your GP or specialist, which can be securely faxed to our offices at 1-888-980-9713. 

It’s extremely exciting to see more studies in Canada…and all over the world that are focusing on medical cannabis. This type of research is essential in learning more about medical cannabis and its potential in managing a number of symptoms and conditions. The more data scientists have to work with, the more patients benefit!  The Canadian Institutes of Health Research group has recently earmarked over $21 million dollars to fund ongoing studies to better understand the potential benefits of medical cannabis use.  Read more here… 

Do you have healthcare insurance? If so, check in with your provider to see if you have a “Healthcare Spending Account”. This feature allows patients to have out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed that are not covered by the rest of your plan, and this often includes medical cannabis! If you do, check your calendar and balance as some plans do not “roll over” these funds into the new year…so if you don’t use it, you lose it! For this reason, if you do have a balance it’s a great opportunity to place an extra, or slightly larger LP order during this time especially. Which brings us to…. 

Both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are falling on Fridays this year, so weekends will be extended. Check directly with your LP for call center holiday schedules and order delivery times. If possible, we recommend ordering your medication early, and having an extra supply on hand just in case. Due to COVID-19 and added volume, Canada Post is mentioning that delivery times may be slightly longer than usual. For patients whose medical documents are expiring in December, if you have not yet booked your renewal appointment, we recommend doing so at your earliest convenience. You can book online at any time or by giving us a call or sending us an email. 

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter! We thank you for choosing Harvest Medicine as your trusted healthcare partner on your medical cannabis journey.

Wishing you all the best,

-The Harvest Medicine Team