Medical marijuana map connects Nova Scotia patients to providers

Medical marijuana dispensaries in Nova Scotia are being linked to patients through a smart phone application called “Weedmaps.”

“The app helped us get the word out and more patients are coming to us, more patients are being satisfied and treated,” said Chris Coleharris, an employee at Auntie’s Health & Wellness Centre in Halifax.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The app helped us get the word out and more patients are coming to us, more patients are being satisfied and treated," said Chris Coleharris, an employee at Auntie's Health & Wellness Centre in Halifax.

READ MORE: Nova Scotia medical marijuana dispensary expands to New Brunswick

The app was created as a “marijuana directory” by a U.S. based company in 2008.

It’s since expanded into Canada and is used by several dispensaries throughout Halifax.

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“At it’s basic level, you use it to look at where you are and you look to see what points of sale are located near you, whether that’s a delivery service or a dispensary,” said Christopher Beals, president & general counsel at Weedmaps.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "At it's basic level, you use it to look at where you are and you look to see what points of sale are located near you, whether that's a delivery service or a dispensary," said Christopher Beals, president & general counsel at Weedmaps.

It’s a legal company that connects medical marijuana patients to dispensaries that haven’t been granted permission to operate through Health Canada.

READ MORE: 6 in 10 Albertans worry marijuana legalization will lead to dangerous roads: poll

According to Health Canada, medical marijuana patients are supposed to fill their prescriptions through licensed medical marijuana producers.

Despite being unauthorized to operate by the federal government, dispensaries keep popping up, and according to Weedmaps there’s five of them in Halifax alone.

“As far as we know we’re operating legally, we had lawyers who helped us to set up and we have lawyers we refer to for any issue that comes up,” Coleharris said.

Until legalization is finalized by Ottawa, the municipality won’t grant any dispensaries an occupancy permit, which is required to lawfully operate.

“Any application that’s been received by us has been denied under the fact that federal regulation currently states that the product is illegal for sale in a retail environment,” said Halifax spokesperson Tiffany Chase.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Any application that's been received by us has been denied under the fact that federal regulation currently states that the product is illegal for sale in a retail environment," said Halifax spokesperson Tiffany Chase.

It’s a legal process that isn’t slowing down dispensaries from opening and operating.

“Other dispensaries have taken it to higher courts and we’re just following now in their footsteps to see what decision is made and maybe legalization comes first, who knows,” Coleharris said.