About 1.1-million Canadians use cannabis for medical purposes, yet more than 800,000 of those patients are self-medicating with recreational or illegal cannabis.

That, according to Mike Boivin, a pharmacist consultant and member of the Shoppers Drug Mart Advisory Board on Medical Cannabis.

Shoppers Drug Mart in Newfoundland and Labrador has launched “Medical Cannabis by Shoppers” to offer patients expert advice and a single source for their needs, when it comes to cannabis therapy.

Boivin says an increasing number of older adults are considering cannabis use for chronic pain or sleep issues. But without expert advice, he says there are risks in buying cannabis for medical purposes.

Boivin says those who are turning to the illicit or recreational markets are not getting expert advice or proper consultations on how to do it right.

He says it’s important to talk to a qualified person to find out if it’s right for you, what possible drug interactions and side effects there are, and what action to take if something goes wrong. He says there are potential problems that can occur when using cannabis therapy.

If you’re seeking the go-ahead for medical cannabis, Boivin says you can get authorization through a physician, or online through Telehealth (Cannabis by Shoppers) with a consultation—a service he says is great for rural Newfoundland.

Mike Boivin spoke with VOCM Morning Show Co-host Gerri Lynn Mackey. Listen below: