How to Get Started

If you believe that you are eligible to use marijuana for medicinal purposes, the first step towards becoming licensed by Health Canada is to get your doctor’s support.

On our Medical Info page, we have a complete checklist of ways you can prepare to approach your doctor about medical marijuana. Some doctors may have negative opinions about marijuana, so being ready to explain why you feel it will benefit you is important.

Most importantly, you will need to accurately describe your symptoms and explain how you think marijuana will help you manage those symptoms. You will also probably have to discuss whether you plan to smoke, eat, vaporize or in some other way consume the marijuana. If have already been using marijuana, you should describe how much you’ve been using and explain how it relieves your symptoms. Also, bring a list of other medications and treatments you have tried and be ready to discuss which ones were effective and which weren’t.

Of course, you’ll want to come prepared with the correct forms and information your doctor will need to help you complete your application. Your doctor will need to determine the size of you prescription, and help you fill in form A and either Form B1 or B2 depending on the nature of your condition.

The remaining forms, C, D and E, have to do with acquiring permission to grow your marijuana or have a designated person grow it, and permission to possess a supply of already cultivated and dried marijana.

All Application Forms

Here are the instructions and information package, followed by a table with all the possible forms.

You must also bring 2 passport sized photos of yourself for your eventual MMAR identification card. Once your application has been approved, you will be able to show this card to a police officer to prove that you are permitted to possess marijuana for medical purposes.

A complete guide to all additional items you may need for your application as well as who is responsible for filling out which forms exactly can be found here on Health Canada’s website.

Once again, VIMM can help you determine which forms you need to fill out, and help you assemble all the necessary information and documents to successfully submit your application. We can also connect you with an experienced designated grower in advance, so you can submit Form D together with the rest of your forms, speeding up the process.

How Long Does it Take?

Having completed all forms and assembled alll other necessary documents, photos, etc., you send your application to:

Health Canada will reply within 10 days of receiving your application with any immediate issues such as missing forms or information. The application can take up to 10 weeks to be processed depending on the urgency of the applicant’s condition and how complete and thorough the application materials are.

You will be notified in writing if/when your application has been approved.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, feel free to contact us. You can also apply with VIMM at any time, before or after you complete your MMAR application, and we will guide you through the rest of the process if necessary, in addition to finding you a designated grower.