RAMQ, cost and reimbursement
No, RAMQ does not reimburse medical cannabis. Price per gram, private insurance, CNESST, IVAC, Veterans Affairs and the medical expense tax credit: every option in Quebec.
Read the guide →Where to buy medical cannabis in Quebec? Suppliers, Shoppers Drug Mart and the SQDC
In Canada, cannabis for medical purposes is bought from a Health Canada licensed seller, online or by phone, with home delivery. Here is how it works in Quebec, what happened with Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix), and how to choose your supplier.
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The only legal source: a Health Canada licensed seller
Under the medical framework (Part 14 of the Cannabis Regulations), patients buy their products from a licence holder authorized to sell cannabis for medical purposes. There are no storefront "medical dispensaries": orders are placed online or by phone, then delivered by mail or courier. Health Canada publishes an up-to-date list of licence holders.
To order, you must first register with the seller using a medical document signed by a physician or nurse practitioner.
3 steps to place an order
1
Medical document
A physician or nurse practitioner assesses your condition and signs the medical document — which is what a Wemedic teleconsultation makes possible.
2
Registration
The original document is sent to your chosen seller, who opens your patient file. Wemedic handles this registration for you.
3
Order
You order online or by phone directly from the seller, up to your authorized amount.
Medical cannabis at Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix)?
You cannot buy medical cannabis at a Shoppers Drug Mart or Pharmaprix pharmacy counter. The company previously ran an online service, Medical Cannabis by Shoppers. In 2023, it announced the transition of this service to Avicanna, which has since operated it as MyMedi.ca. Like every licensed seller, it works online with delivery and requires registration with a medical document.
SQDC or medical supplier: what's the difference?
| Licensed seller (medical) | SQDC (non-medical) | |
|---|---|---|
| Medical document required | Yes | No |
| Insurance or program reimbursement | Possible depending on your plan | Generally no |
| Medical expense tax credit | Yes, with the seller's receipts | No |
| Product selection | Medical range, often with advice and follow-up | Recreational range |
| How to buy | Online or by phone, delivery | Stores and online |
How to choose a medical cannabis supplier
- Products offered — dried, oils, capsules, topicals; a THC/CBD ratio that fits what your healthcare professional recommends.
- Price and discount programs — compassionate, veterans, low income, disability.
- Insurance billing — some sellers bill Veterans Affairs Canada or other payers directly.
- Patient service — French-language service, trained staff, delivery times in Quebec.
- Consistent supply — a product that works for you should stay available.
Not sure which one to pick? During your support process, Wemedic walks you through the options and handles your registration with the seller of your choice. Wemedic does not sell any cannabis products.
Frequently asked questions
Buying medical cannabis — your questions
Where can I legally buy medical cannabis in Quebec?
From a seller licensed by Health Canada to sell cannabis for medical purposes. Orders are placed online or by phone, with delivery, after registering with a medical document.
Can I buy medical cannabis at Shoppers Drug Mart or Pharmaprix?
Not at the counter. Shoppers Drug Mart's online service was transitioned to Avicanna in 2023 and now operates as MyMedi.ca, an online seller.
Can I use the SQDC for my treatment?
The SQDC sells cannabis for non-medical purposes. Adults 21 and over can buy there legally, but those purchases are generally not reimbursable by insurers and are not part of medical follow-up.
Does Wemedic sell cannabis?
No. Wemedic arranges your teleconsultation and your registration with the licensed seller of your choice. You then order from and pay that seller directly.
Can I switch suppliers?
Yes. A new medical document generally has to be sent to the new seller. Contact us to arrange the transfer.
Sources
- Health Canada — Getting cannabis from a licensed producer
- Health Canada — Licensed cultivators, processors and sellers of cannabis
- Loblaw / Shoppers Drug Mart — Shoppers Drug Mart partners with Avicanna to transition Medical Cannabis by Shoppers (2023)
- Cannabis Regulations (SOR/2018-144), Part 14 — Cannabis for medical purposes
Informational content reviewed by the Wemedic team on October 13, 2026. It does not replace advice from a healthcare professional.
Related guides
Side effects
Possible side effects of medical cannabis according to Health Canada: THC, CBD, long-term use, interactions, pregnancy, driving and when to seek emergency care.
Read the guide →Licence and medical document
A medical cannabis "licence" is really a medical document plus a registration. Who can sign it, how long it is valid, the steps, cost, and free prescriptions for veterans.
Read the guide →Personal grow licence
In Quebec, growing cannabis at home is only allowed for medical purposes, with Health Canada registration. Prescription, application, plant count, designated grower and setup.
Read the guide →Could medical cannabis help you?
Talk it over with a healthcare professional from the Wemedic network during a confidential teleconsultation, anywhere in Quebec.