Canadian Licensed Producers

[mikek9]

If you are registered with a licensed producer in Canada I am curious to hear about your experience, how happy you are and if you will be switching LPs in the near future?

I am with Tweed and am happy. I have been with them from the start and haven't tried any other LPs. I hear good things about medrelief and maricann.

Tweed has really stepped up their game recently by offering a guaranteed supply of 5 flagship strains, soon starting September 1st, they will be offering a strain at $6 per gram all the time.

The buds have been coming more fresh and not so dry as in the past. Also the smell is much better and defined. It used to be more generic and plant like.

Some of the strains are not very consistent and I would avoid them.

So far, their Chem Dawg is my favourite strain. It seems to most consistently get me medicated and manage my symptoms.

 

[killick]

I've been a Bedrocan client for a couple of years now. They initially imported from Holland, but have started growing in Canada now. I'm in the process of switching to MedReleaf as they have a larger selection of balanced CBD/THC strains that I'm looking forward to trying...

 

[biohacker]

I'm research and debating LP's presently. It looks like many are quite pricey, and I want to keep costs below $7-$8/g as my present suppliers (medicannabis & natural order) are less than that and have quality products from LP's from what I hear.

The other thing i'm looking for in an LP is that they don't "irradiate" as I know some do. Whistler I believe has organic (whatever that really means) but ofcourse you pay for it. There has to be a decent LP that is affordable (<$8/g), doesn't gamma irradiate (flash pasteurize/freeze maybe okay), has a decent supply?

 

[mikek9]

I'm research and debating LP's presently. It looks like many are quite pricey, and I want to keep costs below $7-$8/g as my present suppliers (medicannabis & natural order) are less than that and have quality products from LP's from what I hear.

The other thing i'm looking for in an LP is that they don't "irradiate" as I know some do. Whistler I believe has organic (whatever that really means) but ofcourse you pay for it. There has to be a decent LP that is affordable (<$8/g), doesn't gamma irradiate (flash pasteurize/freeze maybe okay), has a decent supply?

Most LPs should tell you if the irradiate or not. Tweed irradiates some of their product but it is clearly labelled on their website. I think they irradiate their ground up products, but I don think I ever had any irradiated bud from them.

In terms of supply tweed has to be one of the best. Unfortunately their most popular strains run out quickly, but they have a good supply of some quality strains and they even have an in stock guarantee for 5 strains.

 

[killick]

I agree about prices being a bit (lot) on the high side... Some medical plans pay for herb now, and more will be shortly.

I get mine paid for through a medical plan, and have been seeing on the news that more insurers will be covering this costs sooner or later. It's a medicine that gets prescribed by a doc. How is that not a prescription?

 

[biohacker]

Not all medicines that are prescribed by docs are covered under all plans... every plan is different. Some plans may only cover generic drugs, etc.

You must have an exceptional benefits company! I was under the impression that only the ex-military and RCMP had it covered....even WSIB doesn't cover it with the rare exception as far as I know.

 

[killick]

I'm retired military and fall under that plan. But a student at Ryerson got his mmj covered a couples of months ago. There are articles coming out showing it's just a matter of time before it's covered by more insurers, and that will be a good day for the rest of the country. It's working great for us MIL and RCMP types...

While we are on topic of like to put in a shameless plug for a Vet & RCMP service (if allowed, admins please edit if not OK, thanks).

Marijuana For Trauma, aka MFTgroup.CA is a veteran owned and operated enterprise, privately funded, and exists to help Canadian MIL and RCMP veterans obtain a marijuana license. If your prescription is related to your service they will work with Veterans Affairs to get the cost of the prescription covered under your medical benefits.

They also have a number of safe drop-in facilities, mainly in the east but expanding, where they have cooking nights, info sessions, peer support groups, and just about anything else that is helpful for people learning their way around mmj.

If this is something you are qualified for have a peek through their website, and give them a call. A wonderful group of people providing a very helpful service.

 

[smokum]

I'm pretty sure I had read in the application requirements of LP through HealthCanada that it was necessary to irradiate product before distribution for safety & health reason (what a joke !)

 

[mikek9]

I'm pretty sure I had read in the application requirements of LP through HealthCanada that it was necessary to irradiate product before distribution for safety & health reason (what a joke !)

It is definitely not necessary, but some Licensed Providers do this for all their medicine and some don't do it at all.

Tweed is my current LP and they irradiate only a small portion of their medicine that I just avoid ordering. For example, they have 11 available in the shop right now and none of them have been irradiated.

It is clearly labelled in the ordering section for each strain which ones have been or haven't been irradiated.

 

[smokum]

You are apparently correct...... I guess I got caught up in the set up discussion in its creation, and by the time it finalized I had lost interest and moved on.

Did a little searching and came up with this doc that supports your statement

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marihuana/info/techni-eng.php

[snip]

4. Procedures
In order to achieve purity and quality of the finished dried marihuana product, Good Production Practices as outlined in the MMPR must be followed at all stages of production, packaging, labelling and storage of the marihuana.

As specified in the MMPR, each batch or lot of dried marihuana must be approved for release by the LP's Quality Assurance person, who must have the training, experience and technical knowledge relating to the activity conducted and the requirements of Division 4 of the MMPR. This means that the Quality Assurance person must have the ability to evaluate the operations of the LP to ensure compliance with Division 4, and the technical knowledge to be able to assess analytical testing results in order to be able to make the determination of whether the dried marihuana is suitable for sale. The Quality Assurance person is also responsible for investigating quality-related complaints and taking corrective and preventive actions, if necessary.

Visual inspection should confirm the absence of pests or extraneous substances. There is no requirement to mill or irradiate the dried marihuana, although LPs may choose to do so.

[/snip]

 

[killick]

Ditto for MedReleaf. If you go on their website you can select a button to show irradiated strains for 'immuno-compromised patients'.

 

[biohacker]

Just signed up with Redecan! Can't wait until my first order, which won't be for a couple of weeks.

 

[killick]

@biohacker Can you let us know how they turn out as a provider? Their prices are lower than any of the LPs I've used so far, which is a great thing for friends who aren't yet covered by a program.

 

[biohacker]

Hey @killick, absolutely...that's why I mentioned it won't be for a couple of weeks (waiting for dr. to return from holidays to confirm my info with them). Their prices, sunlight greenhouse grown, and variety are what swayed me, and i've read some great reviews...plus they are only about 30 mins from my house so it's nice supporting so local....oh and free shipping over 60g (my monthly script). I'm hoping that the CBD strain they have does it for me as i'm trying to reduce my tolerance and dependency on THC, and apparently CBD is just what I need.

I'm still envious that you are covered....it's complete BS that those with insurance companies and PTSD diagnoses aren't covered, especially those who work in the emergency services.

 

[killick]

Buddy, I hear your pain re coverage! On the plus side we're closer to this no longer being an issue than we've ever been, and the thing just has to topple, and our friends down south will stop having to hide from their neighbors or risk injury or imprisonment simply for trying to be healthier.

That and the kid in Toronto that challenged sunlife recently and got coverage... There's hope is kinda what I'm trying to say. If it helps I'm pretty zonked, and my wife says she wouldn't let me drive now, which is funny as I mentioned to a vet buddy that I seldom get 'high' these days, but concentrates are a different beast, and I'm dabbing live rosin, purchased from a dispensary in Vernon BC.

I was expecting SAP-like goop, instead got an almost shatter-like chunk of Amber goodness that is really tasty. And white widow budder that looks like peanut brittle, but breaks apart like blotter paper... And something else which escapes me at present.

Next up is homemade rosin! I'm loving the menu

Man, I do tend to speak a load of shite, don't I? The ex was right

 

[biohacker]

You're right, we're close - but still far. It doesn't help when idiots like harper say that marijuana is infinitely worse than tobacco, yet we still have a federal medical program...thank goodness he's history, let's just hope the change occurs quick (doubtful). My insurance company (standard life) doesn't even cover some medications let alone cannabis, but this is all due to collective agreement/contract.

That's awesome that Vernon has a dispensary! I used to order from canadian safe cannabis society in Kamloops and lived a season as a snow bum at Big White! Those were the days.... one day i'll return to god's country...soon.

I join you with a morning coffee and .2g of Jack Herer! Fireplace is on and this is going to be a laaaazzy saturday for me.....woke up at 2am after 5 hours sleep....and now i'm just tiptoeing waiting for my wife to get up!

 

[theCerberus]

I've been a Bedrocan client for a couple of years now. They initially imported from Holland, but have started growing in Canada now. I'm in the process of switching to MedReleaf as they have a larger selection of balanced CBD/THC strains that I'm looking forward to trying...

it boggles the mind to know someone stayed with Bedrocan for over a year....
have you never seen/smelled flushed cannabis before?
you do know cannabis isnt supposed to smell so terrible right? (remember its a flower.... smell is part of the effects)
medreleaf LMAO $15/g for top shelf and its not even cured. that will smell and taste bad too.
not sure how you could withstand bedrocan cannabis....
the strains literally smell like manure and urine.

That and the kid in Toronto that challenged sunlife recently and got coverage...

Ugh that dumb misleading statement again. No Mr. Zaid did not get coverage from Sunlife. the university of waterloo pays and its not 100% coverage. he had to fight very hard with the university (not sunlife) and did not set a precedence for ANYONE.
The next student at UW that needs medical cannabis has the same fight ahead of them.
Sunlife does not cover medical cannabis; The University of Waterloo just didnt want to bother with a lawsuit.

I'm pretty sure I had read in the application requirements of LP through HealthCanada that it was necessary to irradiate product before distribution for safety & health reason (what a joke !)

Irradiation is for the lazy. Its also a way of ensuring they get to sell every batch of cannabis grown.
LPs have the option to "fix" a "contaminated" strain with gamma irradiation.
The bad LPs like Aphria and Bedrocan irradiate everything.
The good LPs try to ensure the strains are produced so cleanly they never need it.
The best LPs that promise not to irradiate literally throw away and destroy those same contaminated batches. Food for thought.

 

[biohacker]

Sooooon I will be in RedeCan Land......!!! Looking forward to trying my first ever CBD dom after 10 years of vaping!

 

[killick]

@theCerberus I'll remember to rattle my zipper next time I'm interested in your opinion, k? Thanks.

 

[pakalolo]

it boggles the mind to know someone stayed with Bedrocan for over a year....
have you never seen/smelled flushed cannabis before?
you do know cannabis isnt supposed to smell so terrible right? (remember its a flower.... smell is part of the effects)
medreleaf LMAO $15/g for top shelf and its not even cured. that will smell and taste bad too.
not sure how you could withstand bedrocan cannabis....
the strains literally smell like manure and urine.




Ugh that dumb misleading statement again. No Mr. Zaid did not get coverage from Sunlife. the university of waterloo pays and its not 100% coverage. he had to fight very hard with the university (not sunlife) and did not set a precedence for ANYONE.
The next student at UW that needs medical cannabis has the same fight ahead of them.
Sunlife does not cover medical cannabis; The University of Waterloo just didnt want to bother with a lawsuit.



Irradiation is for the lazy. Its also a way of ensuring they get to sell every batch of cannabis grown.
LPs have the option to "fix" a "contaminated" strain with gamma irradiation.
The bad LPs like Aphria and Bedrocan irradiate everything.
The good LPs try to ensure the strains are produced so cleanly they never need it.
The best LPs that promise not to irradiate literally throw away and destroy those same contaminated batches. Food for thought.

The tone of your post is condescending and abrasive, and is as close as you want to get to breaking our Be Nice rule, if you catch my drift. If you can't respond to someone with respect, please don't respond at all.

@theCerberus I'll remember to rattle my zipper next time I'm interested in your opinion, k? Thanks.

If someone is breaking the rules, report it and move on. If you must respond, use a PM. Replies like this simply encourage flame wars.

 

[killick]

I responded badly, and requested that my response above be deleted. Anyways, having said that, if you have a problem with any of the LPs take it up with them, or Health Canada. I get the impression you work for one. And, if not, will have a very strong opinion that only 1 on the entire list of LPs is suitable for human consumption...

 

[theCerberus]

I dont work for any LP and I have never grown cannabis in my life.
I do not work in the cannabis industry either.
I am just a patient who has tried many LPs and local dispensaries.

I only learned about flushing and curing after signing up for the MMPR and receiving several strains that were sub par.

Before under MMAR I just used dispensaries and never had a problem. Everything was top shelf.

All the LP medicine is suitable for human consumption. thats what Health Canada standards are for.
but not all the LP medicine is "medical grade". those are arbitrary standards with many factors
(bud quality isnt just achieved by growing in a specific medium like hydroponics or soil, its the choice of nutrients, choosing whether to flush those nutes and how long, and subsequent drying & curing lengths)
based on market/patient preferences, and the majority of LPs do not cater to the same dispensary market.
Health Canada sets no standards for "bud quality". they are just concerned with safety.
LPs are mainly just in it for money. They just want to push whatever they have managed to grow because its legal. Thats the only reason why someone would go so far as gamma irradiation to save a crop.

IMO broken coast and tilray are probably the only LPs you can get top shelf bud from.

The tone of your post is condescending and abrasive, and is as close as you want to get to breaking our Be Nice rule, if you catch my drift

I do. I fully intended to toe the line.

I wanted to point out that this company (Bedrocan) sells unflushed manure and urine smelling cannabis, it would be an otherwise beautiful smelling flower and should not smell bad. smell (terpenes) are part of the effects.
And $15/g + tax is not fair market price for a legal, uncured product, especially when only sold in 5 gram increments, with no quantity discount (Medreleaf).

I am just here guarding the gates of hell. My name is the Cerberus after all.

I want to "Be Nice" and help out other patients by making them aware of what is happening.

I apologize for "name calling" @killick's statement about whom I assume is the UW student Mr. Zaid.
I just wanted to point out no one in Canada has gotten insurance coverage through sunlife (they have always sent it back to the employer or university to pay for) and his fight was only for himself because he set no precedence... the university just got scared of a legal battle and gave in to him and only him.
everyone after him will have to fight the exact same battle with their employer (LOL and they better be irreplaceable because they are otherwise getting fired for asking) or school.

 

[killick]

Actually the only time I've had nasty tasting herb was from my very first dispensary trip, to a place called Black Crow in West Bank, BC. Everything tasted like mud and went into the abv container for future use. A few questions in here and I now know it to be badly or unflushed hydro. Anyways, not going there again. I've been happy with what I've gotten from all providers. I don't really have options to swap and change around, so I'm going with recommendations of a bunch of others I know with the same med plan. I switched to MedReleaf to access some of their more balanced THC:CBD strains, and I'm glad I did. No qualms about Bedrocan other than limited selection, which is probably less of an option now that they've been aquired by whoever it was in Nanaimo a few moths ago...

Regarding Bedrocan specifically, they were my first LP. The reason I chose them was that they are the grower of record for the Dutch government. They are the provider of test-quality herb to vaporizer testers, such as MiniVAP. They've only recently started growing Bedrocan strains in Canada. If you have a problem with their procedures, or any body elses growing and/or testing procedures I would suggest you take it up with them directly, and not take cheap shots at them in a forum where they aren't active.

 

[theCerberus]

Regarding Bedrocan specifically, they were my first LP. The reason I chose them was that they are the grower of record for the Dutch government. They are the provider of test-quality herb to vaporizer testers, such as MiniVAP. They've only recently started growing Bedrocan strains in Canada. If you have a problem with their procedures, or any body elses growing and/or testing procedures I would suggest you take it up with them directly, and not take cheap shots at them in a forum where they aren't active.

So was prarie plant system to canada. and they are terrible. thats why mmpr exists. patients didnt want prarie plant systems bare bones gamma irradiation approach.
Bedrocan exists only because they are forced to by Netherland courts.
Bedrocan knows they dont flush manure and dont care. They are allowed to by Health Canada rules. They simply "correct" the issue with gamma irradiation. I told them I want them to flush their cannabis and they dont care. I guess you dont either.
I post to give patients my first hand experience with Bedrocan and what they should expect.
This entire thread was made for exactly that purpose.

 

[killick]

Ok, I bow to your superior knowledge.