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This experience has demonstrated for me, in no uncertain terms, how the permission of dispensaries is a necessary social requirement. Jumping through the hoops of medical process to obtain a prescription was not, in the case of my patient, an option. And for no other reason that he is not a resident of Canada and does not speak English, nor does he have sufficient time here before he returns to his own country.

Because the law does not yet permit the sale of CBD from marijuana products openly without a prescription, we are forced to pay higher prices than we would if there was a more competitive availability of the product. CBD derived from hemp is legally available, provided its THC level is low enough.

Is the corporate marijuana industry viable for the long term?



The lineup at the dispensary where I have been sourcing my CBD pills is almost always “out the door.” When it’s busy, no less than four cashiers are continuously doling out packets of pot, CBD capsules, and even black hashish — a very sought-after delicacy among cannabis enthusiasts. All of the transactions I have observed have been in cash, too. There are always “specials” being offered, and the cashiers demonstrate an adept up-selling style.

These visits to the dispensary give me plenty of time to reflect on the state of the industry and the law in Canada, while I wait my turn. Considering the sub-culture that has been part of the marijuana-consuming crowd’s ethos since the ’60s, I find it improbable that many people will prefer large corporate suppliers over smaller mom-and-pop operations.