Pubdate: Thu, 10 Mar 2016 Source: Annapolis County Spectator; The (CN NS) Copyright: 2016 Transcontinental Nova Scotia Media Group inc. Contact: http://www.annapoliscountyspectator.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4699 Author: Heather Killen Page: 4 VALLEY'S FIRST CANNABIS DISPENSARY OPENS Martin's Medical Services operating inaugural East Coast clinic in Middleton MIDDLETON - The Annapolis Valley's first professional dispenser of medicinal marijuana is open for business. Martin's Medical Services officially opened its first clinic on the East Coast on Main Street in Middleton last month and hopes to open 15 more clinics across the country this year, said David Gravelle. This clinic specializes in providing high-quality medicinal cannabis products to patients with a valid medical prescription, and carries nonprescription Chinese herbs, and other homeopathic remedies. It offers an umbrella of treatments services such as a Reiki master, a massage therapist, an herbalist, and a psychologist. The clinic provides a coffee shop atmosphere so patients can socialize while they heal their physical ailments. "We can help a ton of symptoms," says Gravelle. "People will need a referral from their doctor, but once the referral and registration procedure has been approved, we have a cannabis consultant that can prescribe and dispense the cannabis." Closely Tested The quality and strains of medicinal marijuana are closely tested to ensure the drugs are properly dispensed to patients. He added that people can be confident that what they are taking has been carefully controlled to match the prescription. Cannabis and its extracts can treat a huge variety of conditions including asthma, AIDS, Crohn's Disease, colitis, MS, irritable bowel syndrome, seizures, sleep disorders, cancer, epilepsy, Lymes disease, glaucoma, mental health issues, he said. Martin's Medical Services opened its first clinic in Saskatchewan a few years ago and already supported a variety of community causes. Gravelle added that one of the group's mottos is to give back to community. "We want these towns to flourish, to create more jobs and opportunities for people to live here," he said. The clinic in Saskatchewan has handed more than $90,000 to groups since 2014, including $10,000 to a community swimming pool, $4,000 to a health centre, and given money to countless individuals in need. Opening Day On opening day in Middleton, the clinic's staff passed out cake, T-shirts, and $5 bills to anyone who visited them, and the plan is to continue to give back to the community, he says. Gravelle added the group plans to support the new fire hall and community centre, as well as provide donations towards other worthwhile community projects. "We want this to be a safe, clean family atmosphere where people can feel comfortable bringing their children," he said. Security is tight around the dispensary and the premises he added. Cameras and safe rooms ensure that the drugs will be locked away. The area is being monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The group's next clinic will be opening this month in an old bank building on Prince Edward Island. He added that these days, it's probably easier to rob a bank than a medicinal marijuana clinic. For more information on Martin's Medical Services, visit http://marijuanamailorders.com - --- MAP posted-by: Matt