Pubdate: Tue, 05 Apr 2016 Source: Metro (Edmonton, CN AB) Copyright: 2016 Metro Canada Contact: http://www.metronews.ca/edmonton Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4475 Author: Kevin Maimann DOCTOR SKEPTICAL OVER NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA CLINIC Edmonton location to offer exams, info and prescriptions An Edmonton anesthesiologist who prescribes medical marijuana is skeptical that a new clinic will help patients. Toronto-based Cannabinoid Medical Clinic, founded by Dr. Danial Schecter, will open its first Edmonton location this month to offer exams, product information and cannabis prescriptions. But Dr. Brian Knight says plenty of doctors are already prescribing medical marijuana. "There's really a shortage of people treating chronic pain in general in Canada, and all of a sudden these people come out of the woodwork opening medical marijuana clinics, and where were they 10 or 15 years ago to help treat patients?" he said. "I want to think that this Dr. Schecter has the most noble of ideals, but a lot of these people are in it to make a quick buck off a fairly vulnerable population." Knight has prescribed medical marijuana to about 20 patients, but stresses most ailments are best treated with a multidisciplinary approach that includes things like exercise, physiotherapy or psychosocial programs. But many marijuana advocates are celebrating the arrival of Cannabinoid Medical Clinic. Alberta 420 director Keith Fagin said having a new clinic in town will be a boon to patients. "The more, the better," he said. "Finally we're getting over that hump of the stigma of cannabis." Knight said price is a bigger barrier to medical marijuana than the ability to get a prescription, with about 40 producers across Canada charging at least $5 a gram. Some patients use five grams a day, or $40 daily, he said. Calls Metro placed to Cannibinoid Medical Clinic were not returned before press time. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt