THE STATE OF MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES IN TORONTO AND CANADA

How many pot dispensaries are there in the GTA?

There is no precise count but the number has exploded in recent weeks and shows no sign of stopping. Website todispensaries.com listed, as of Thursday, 58 in the region. Informed observers say that number is low, with one estimating as many as 90 just in Toronto. Do you need a prescription to get marijuana from a dispensary?

That depends on the dispensary. Some insist on a prescription while others do their own screening. How can I see if a dispensary opens near my home?

Several websites including todispensaries.com, weedmaps.com and leafly.com have maps tracking dispensaries in cities including Toronto. What does federal law say about medical marijuana?

In February, a B.C. federal court judge struck down Harper-era restrictions on medical marijuana users growing their own plants. He suspended that ruling for six months to give Ottawa time to rewrite the law. The apparent uncertainty about legal growing — and by extension distribution — triggered an explosion of dispensaries in Vancouver that is spreading across Canada. What form of marijuana is available?

It depends on the dispensary. Loose marijuana, rolled joints, oils and edibles are among products offered. Who currently legally grows and sells medical marijuana in Canada?

Some 31 licensed producers have been issued a licence by Health Canada, 18 of them in Ontario. Only producers authorized to produce and sell to the public may sell or provide dried marijuana, fresh marijuana or cannabis oil to eligible persons. How does someone obtain medical marijuana legally?

A health-care practitioner must complete a medical document on a patient’s behalf. The patient submits a registration form and medical document directly to a licensed producer, who mails the product to the patient.