FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there a fee to see Dr. Pearson or one of his Pearson Health associates?

Ontario Residents: Most appointments for Ontario residents with a valid health card are covered by OHIP. We pride ourselves on providing the most thorough patient care available and supporting you in every stage of your treatment. To this end, we have implemented a small annual fee to account for all services that are not covered by insurance. This fee is significantly reduced or waived for patients with low income on a sliding scale.

Out of Province Residents: We are pleased to be able to support patients across Canada. Please e-mail our team for more details.

International Patients: As a globally recognized leader in this emerging field of medicine, Dr. Pearson is regularly contacted by individuals from outside of Canada looking for a trusted second opinion or informed, fresh perspective. Please contact our team for more information.

What is your cancellation policy?

When you book your appointment, you are holding a space on our calendar that is no longer available to our other patients. If cancellation is necessary, we require that you provide at least 48 hours notice. Appointments are in high demand and your advanced notice will allow another patient access to that appointment time.

Should you be unable to provide 48 hours notice, a $100 cancellation fee for initial visits or $50 cancellation fee for follow-up visits will be charged to your account. After the second no-show, a patient will no longer be scheduled.

When should I book my follow-up appointment? Will the doctor’s office contact me to book a follow up?

You are responsible for booking your follow-up appointment in the time frame that was specified by the practitioner at your appointment. Simply contact our office and our administrative team will be happy to help.

Am I able to work while on cannabinoid therapy?

  • Patients are advised to consult their employer/HR department before starting cannabinoid therapy.

  • For patients in safety sensitive roles, this is especially important: Some companies have a zero-tolerance policy for any type of cannabis and do not differentiate between recreational or medical use, or whether the preparation is CBD-dominant, THC-dominant or balanced.

  • CBD does not cause impairment, however, there are small amounts of THC present in CBD-dominant products, which would test positive in a urine drug screen.

Can I drive while taking medical cannabis?

It is illegal to drive while impaired – and many medications, including those prescribed by a doctor or purchased over-the-counter, can impair your ability to drive safely. If you have been authorized to use cannabis or any other drug by a healthcare professional, it is your responsibility to ensure you are not impaired while driving. For more information, please click here.

CANADIAN PATIENTS ONLY:

I haven’t received my confirmation email from my Licensed Producer (LP). What do I do?

If you haven’t received an email from the LP in one week, please follow-up with your LP directly - not the doctor’s office. If you do not use email, please call your LP approximately 4-7 days after your visit and once you have completed and submitted your registration. While we’d love to help, this is the fastest and easiest way to remedy this issue.

How do I order and purchase my prescribed medical cannabis?

You (the patient) are responsible for ordering your medical cannabis directly from the LP using a major credit card, debit visa or pre-paid credit card. During your appointment, you will be provided with the relevant contact details and instructions on what to order. Your order will be shipped directly from Canada Post to your door within 2-5 business days from ordering.

How long is my medical document (prescription) valid?

When initiating cannabinoid therapy with a patient for the first time, our practitioners generally start with one to three months’ validity. If you are finding therapeutic benefit and your practitioner determines you are stable on cannabinoid therapy, he/she may authorize up to 12 months. Be sure to order more product at least one week before running out, and well before your medical document expires, to avoid any disruption in treatment.

I’m concerned about the cost of medical cannabis. Are there any discounts available?

Compassionate pricing is available with various Licensed Producers (LP) for patients with low income. Certain LPs also have new patient, senior and veteran’s programs available. Your cannabinoid-based medicine educator will be able to provide you with more information and we encourage you to contact your chosen LP directly to obtain additional details.

My Licensed Producer (LP) has a product shortage and my product is unavailable. What do I do?

If your LP runs out of your product, please contact their customer care team to find out the expected restock date prior calling the doctor’s office. Since product availability can be variable, we recommend ordering two or more bottles at a time to avoid any gaps in your treatment. If you still encounter any issues, please contact our office and your practitioner will help you choose an alternative.

Can I travel out of the country with cannabis?

  • You can NOT take your medical cannabis outside of Canada, including the U.S. More information is available from the Canadian Government here.

  • Crossing international borders with cannabis is illegal - even cannabis for medical purposes. Authorities do not differentiate between THC or CBD, as all CBD-dominant products contact small traces of THC.

  • If flying within Canada, keep cannabis in your carry-on, not in your checked luggage. Make sure it is in the original packaging and that you have a copy of your medical document.

  • You can legally travel within Canada with up ta 30-day supply of your medical cannabis, to a maximum of 150 grams.                                                                         

    **These guidelines are subject to change. Please contact your airline before travelling to confirm.**