How cannabis works in your body
Cannabinoids are the main active ingredients in medical cannabis. They are produced by the human body, found in plants, or can be manufactured in a laboratory for use in prescription medications. THC and CBD are the two most discussed cannabinoids and are found in relatively high concentrations in the plant. Depending on your needs, you may wish to take a product containing THC, CBD, or a balance of both.
What is the difference between THC and CBD?
These are the two most common cannabinoids found in medical cannabis.
CBD
CBD (cannabidiol) may be helpful for reducing inflammation, seizures, and anxiety and to improve sleep. It is not known to cause the intoxicating, euphoric effects that THC does. In fact, it may help reduce these effects.
CBD
CBD (cannabidiol) may be helpful for reducing inflammation, seizures, and anxiety and to improve sleep. It is not known to cause the intoxicating, euphoric effects that THC does. In fact, it may help reduce these effects.
The Endocannabinoid System
We naturally produce cannabinoids—called endocannabinoids—that interact with cell receptors throughout our bodies. Endocannabinoids are like a key, receptors are like a lock, and they fit together to produce effects in the body.
Our endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in many physiological functions, including pain, sleep, inflammation, memory, digestion, immune functions, and neuroprotection.
THC and CBD also interact with the receptors of our ECS. This could partly explain why cannabis seems to have an effect on such a wide variety of symptoms and conditions.
Our Product Formats
Softgels
Softgels are filled with extracted cannabis resin dissolved in a food-grade carrier oil in a dosed form. They offer you a convenient and discreet option for your medication.
Cannabis Oil
Concentrated cannabis resin, containing cannabinoids and other active compounds, is extracted from cannabis flowers that have undergone thermal decarboxylation, then diluted with a food-grade carrier oil to make a product for you to take orally from a syringe. This allows you to know exactly how much THC and CBD you are taking in each dose.
Dried Flowers
Dried cannabis is offered as either dried whole flowers (“bud”) or milled (“prepared” or “ground”). Whole flowers from the female cannabis plant are harvested, the stem and leaves are trimmed, and then the flowers are dried to a specific moisture content.
Milled cannabis contains the same active ingredients as dried whole flowers and is ready for use in a vapourizer.
Edibles
Cannabis-infused edibles are an innovative format that is suitable for those looking for an alternative method of consuming medical cannabis. Edible products contain a consistent amount of specially formulated cannabis extract that includes THC, CBD, or a combination of both.
Vapourizers
Vapourizers heat cannabis flower or cannabis extract to the exact temperature required to release active compounds as vapour—without combustion, and therefore, without smoke.
There are two types of vapourizers. First, those that vapourize dried flower, such as the Storz & Bickel Volcano™ devices. Second, next-generation devices that vapourize cannabis extract and are powered by an integrated battery, such as the Tweed and Twd. 510-threaded vapes, and the Tokyo Smoke Luma™ vape system.
Beverages
Simple, familiar, and refreshing, ready-to-drink cannabis-infused beverages are changing how those with chronic conditions consume their medical cannabis. They are:
Suitable for patients who have difficulty using inhaled medical cannabis formats or suffer from pill fatigue
Convenient and precise, for accurate dosing
Made in unique and easy-to-drink flavours
Available in formulations that range from THC-dominant to balanced to CBD-dominant, to suit individual medical needs
Concentrates
Both cannabis extracts (made using solvents) and cannabis concentrates (made using heat and pressure) offer a new option for those who require a fast-acting medical cannabis solution and higher levels of cannabinoids than typically available in other formats.
In fact, extracts and concentrates can range from 50%–90% THC.
Our collection of extracts and concentrates includes such offerings as live resin, live rosin, shatter, diamonds, sauce, badder, hash, and hash oil.
Patient Resources
Patient Registration Form
This must be submitted by the patient to register with Spectrum Therapeutics.
Patient Medical Document
This is completed and submitted by a healthcare professional on behalf of their patient.
Veteran Affairs Form Consent to Disclose
We are required to provide a patient's information to Veterans Affairs Canada to arrange direct billing.
Patient Dosing Diary
Keep a written record of the effects of your medical cannabis therapy to help you and your healthcare professional track the efficacy of different cannabis products.
A Patient's Guide To Reimbursement Options For Medical Cannabis
This card explains private insurance coverage and how to claim income tax credits for medical cannabis in Canada.
News and Media
Keep up with the latest news on medical cannabis and watch out e-learning videos to learn about the fundamentals of medical cannabis.