Wow. This is all really enlightening and frustrating.
OK here goes...
Under the old program (MMPR) HC was heavily involved. You got their forms, took them to a doctor and got signed up for x amount of grams provided you fit HC's definitions. Lots of paperwork. Then you sent the forms to HC and they took their sweet ass time approving you and sending out your licence called an ATP. You could also get a grow permit PPL or have someone grow it for you DPPL.
Lots of paperwork.
So...all sorts of problems and hassles and eventually HC came up with an idea of all patients should buy from new federally licenced producers LP. They took away the patients grow rights and their designated growers. It went to court, and is in a sort of injunction limbo that will be resolved this spring.
This new program is called the MMPR. All new patients have to join the MMPR.
HC made the regulations, and controls, inspects the 14 licenced producers. HC doesn't get involved with the patients anymore. The only interaction is to collect ATPs from LPs if the patient handed it in.
Why a patient would ever hand over their ATP pink licence is beyond me.
HC basically washed their hands of the patients.
So you're a new patient...here's what you do;
Go to a doctor and get a "medical document" ( there is no govt official form ). On this document the doctor will state the grams per day that you are entitled to, and the duration...max is one year.
You can get a medical document for insomnia or whatever...
There is no max on the g/d a DR can write whatever they want. 1-3g/d is what most are comfortable with. This document can be given to you ( and should be ) or it can be sent directly to an LP, provided you know what LP you want to buy from.
You have your document, now you fill out an application with an LP, send in the document.
The LP checks to see that the dr is legit with the provincial college of physicians.
The LP checks with the dr to make sure the document is legit.
Once those two checks are done the LP contacts the patient to tell them they are approved.
Then you order you mmj.
The LP can only ship 150g per shipment.
The patient can only carry 150g maximum.
The max you can do is with a script of 150g/d and use it all every day and have your LP ship every day...4,500g/month....doubt we will ever see that though.
The patient can get their doctor to "split" the document in two or three etc... for example, if you dr says you can have 6g/d, the dr can split that into 2 of 3g/d, or 3of 2g/d. In this way you can have two or three LPs providing you product for a total of 6g/d.
The colleges are keeping an eye on the doctors.
In the future I think HC will look at all the patients from all the LPs to make sure patients aren't double dipping ( no clue why they would! )
Hope this helps...feel free to ask any questions...
It's very fast and easy now....provided you have a willing doctor...might require some $$$