5 Significant Players In The World Of Medical Cannabis

All across North America, laws governing the medical use of cannabis are liberalizing. With marijuana now approved to treat several ailments in many regions, a whole new infrastructure has emerged to support patients and prescribers alike. In no particular order, this list highlights some major groups doing big things with this healing herb.

The #1 entry is Vireo Health, a physician-founded, patient-focused company dedicated to providing cannabis-based items, such as vaporizers and capsules. Vireo sells in dispensaries to qualifying patients in various states, including Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Vireo has a color-coded spectrum that represents a distinct line of items. A patient can match their medical condition to a particular color to purchase the appropriate medicine. For instance, those experiencing chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting should consider items from the THC-dominant lines, which are red and yellow. Patients coping with neurological diseases might prefer CBD-dominant options like blue and indigo.

Coming in at #2, we present Veriheal. It's a healthcare technology company with a mission to provide personalized cannabis education and wellness to everyone around the world. Veriheal's online operated medicine recommendation service connects users to state-licensed medical doctors who are experienced with alternative medicine.

Veriheal's team works closely with individuals, dispensaries, and medical providers to ensure that all patients receive safe and discreet care. Depending on where the patient resides, they might be able to receive a digital medical card for cannabis at the end of their appointment. Veriheal has been featured in many press outlets, including The Root, High Times, and Forbes.

Next up, at #3, we have the Society of Cannabis Clinicians. This non-profit group of physicians and healthcare professionals is dedicated to education and research that supports cannabis for medical use. The Society's goals include sharing clinical evidence with colleagues and patients, and encouraging medical graduates and professionals to discuss marijuana as a treatment option with patients.

The SCC was founded in 1999 by Tod Mikuriya, MD, in the San Francisco Bay Area. After analyzing its research, the Society came to believe that patients should be allowed to grow their own cannabis for medical needs, and that all commercial items should be tested for safety. Additionally, the group offers continuing education courses so clinicians can stay up-to-date on emerging topics within the medical field.

The #4 entry is Citiva. Founded in 2015 by a small group of New York healthcare professionals, it was formed with the hopes of providing patient access to the therapeutic effects of cannabinoid medicine. Citiva works to benefit patients by improving access, enhancing medical outcomes, and reducing the cost of care.

To further understand the role of cannabinoid therapy in medicine, Citiva has developed a partnership with Long Island University’s School of Pharmacy in the shared pursuit of educating the healthcare community about the science of medical cannabis. Together, the groups have hosted a conference focused on the pharmacology of cannabis, as well as general education about the New York State Medical Marijuana Program.

Rounding out our list at #5 is Zenabis, one of Canada's largest licensed medical and recreational cannabis producers. Its facilities are located in British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, allowing nationwide distribution across the country through the Zenabis medical brand, as well as through three other recreational lines: Namaste, Re-Up, and Blazery.

The whole suite of brands includes a range of cannabis and cannabis derivatives, including dried flower, pre-rolls, soft gels, oral sprays, and vape cartridges. Zenabis strives to promote environmentally-sound practices in developing its medicine, including rainwater collection and reduced consumer packaging.