Frequently asked questions
Everyone has questions when they first start exploring medical cannabis. Here you’ll find answers on a variety of common cannabis topics like “What is THC?” and “What do indica and sativa mean?” You’ll also find important information about ordering from Aurora Medical and more.
Sativa and indica are the names for different types of cannabis plants. There are also hybrid plants created by crossbreeding sativa and indica plants.
The word sativa comes from a Latin root that means “cultivated”. Sativa-type plants are typically tall with narrow leaflets while indica-type plants tend to be shorter and have wider leaflets. Many people say indica-dominant plants have a relatively sedating and relaxing effect while sativa-dominant plants have a more energizing one, but this has not been scientifically proven.
Cannabis plants contain different chemical compounds including phytocannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Scientists have identified at least 110 different phytocannabinoids. These interact with the human body to cause the effects experienced when cannabis is consumed. There are two other types of cannabinoids: endocannabinoids (produced by our bodies) and synthetic cannabinoids (made in laboratories to mimic phytocannabinoids).
THC is a phytocannabinoid (delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and the predominant intoxicating molecule in cannabis. It’s what gives rise to the euphoria associated with being “high”. While intoxication can occur at higher doses of THC, there is also evidence it may have some therapeutic effects.
Like THC, CBD (cannabidiol) is a phytocannabinoid. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce a high or intoxication. There is some evidence that CBD may block or lower some of the effects of THC on the mind. This may occur when the amount of CBD in the cannabis is the same or higher than the amount of THC. CBD is also being studied for its possible therapeutic uses.
Terpenes are chemical compounds responsible for the aroma and flavours of various fruits, flowers and plants including cannabis.
The main parts of the cannabis plant are:
Colas — These are the large, prized, cone-shaped flowers that grow at the top of cannabis plants and make up many of the cannabis products sold today.
Trichomes — Trichomes are small hair-like outgrowths from the epidermis of the cannabis plant. Their highest concentrations occur in cannabis flowers and they contain the highest concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes in the plant.
Flower — This is the part of the cannabis plant with the highest concentration of trichome heads. Both male and female cannabis plants produce flowers but only female flowers contain appreciable amounts of cannabinoids. Female flowers are the most valuable portion of all cannabis crops. As a result, cannabis producers grow only female cannabis plants.
Medical cannabis should be stored in a locked, child-safe container in a dark, cool location. Keep your cannabis out of reach of children, youth and pets.
We recommend speaking with a healthcare practitioner to determine your recommended dosage and best method of consumption. Effects can be felt within minutes of smoking or vaporizing. When cannabis is ingested, the effects can take longer to be felt — up to two hours — and may last up to 12 hours. Since cannabis affects everyone differently, the common guidance is to go slow and start low.
Combining cannabis and alcohol is not recommended. Health Canada has provided guidance to avoid combining cannabis with alcohol as it can cause more severe levels of impairment and adverse effects. Read more here.
Cannabis impaired driving is a criminal offence. When you consume cannabis and get behind the wheel, you put yourself and others in danger. Learn more from Health Canada.
You can travel with cannabis for medical purposes within Canada, though specific regulations do apply. It is still illegal to travel with cannabis across the Canadian border when entering or exiting the country. Learn more here.
We follow strict design guidelines for our facilities, including EU GMP (“good manufacturing practices”) quality standards for many sites. GMP goes above and beyond Health Canada's requirements. As well, all our products are tested in third-party labs to ensure compliance with our quality standards. If you are interested in receiving more information on the testing processes for products you have purchased please contact our Client Care Team at 1-877-928-7672 or by emailing askus@auroramedical.com.
How much you can order depends on your prescription. The maximum single order is 30 times your daily prescribed amount (for example, if your daily amount is 2 grams, you can order 30 days’ worth, or 60 grams). No single order can exceed the federal maximum of 150 grams.
The products you have access to may vary according to the THC limits in the medical document from your doctor or nurse practitioner. If you would like access to more products, please speak with your healthcare provider.
We provide free shipping on orders over $99 (pre-tax) when you choose Canada Post Standard Shipping. If you choose Purolator Express or Canada Post Express, you’ll be charged a $20 flat fee on all orders. There is a cost for shipping on any order less than $99, and orders of ready-to-drink beverages are subject to an additional charge regardless of the size of the total order.
Same-day delivery options are available for a fee to clients with qualifying postal codes in the Greater Toronto Area. You’ll see if you are eligible when you reach the checkout screen. ‘Same-day’ orders placed after 12:00 PM ET will be delivered the next business day. Same-day deliveries are made between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM ET.
We ship Canada-wide via Canada Post and Purolator. According to the Cannabis Act, we can ship to any primary residence or mailing address associated with a primary residential address (such as a P.O. box) within Canada. If you reside in NWT, YK or NVT, or wish to ship to a P.O. box, you must select Canada Post as your shipping option. If you reside in the Greater Toronto Area, you may qualify for our same-day delivery through E24. These options will appear while you’re filling out the shipping options menu.
Yes, parcels shipped with Canada Post and Purolator require a signature. If no one is home to receive the parcel, a notice will be left that indicates the location of our local Purolator or Canada Post depot. The package will be held for 5-7 days before being returned to Aurora.
Packages shipped with our same-day courier service do not require a signature. Drivers may door-drop packages to a house or townhouse or to a manned concierge or security desk. Exemptions include unattended condominium and apartment lobbies, commercial locations, and any location the driver deems unsafe (including due to direct exposure to inclement weather or high traffic). Unsuccessful delivery attempts are followed by a second attempt the next day.
All purchases are final sale. Aurora does not accept returns on cannabis products. If you have concerns about the order you have received, please contact our Client Care team at 1-877-928-7672.
When you place your order, you will receive an order confirmation, after which the typical processing time is 1-3 business days. Once your order is picked and packed and ready to ship you will receive a shipping notification email with a tracking link. If you are unable to track your package you can contact our Client Care team at: askus@auroramedical.com / 1-877-928-7672.
Depending on the service level you select at checkout, transit times are the following:
- Purolator Express Shipping 1-2 business days
- Canada Post Express Shipping 1-2 business days
- Canada Post Standard Shipping 3-7 business days
Becoming an Aurora patient is easy! Visit our Get Started page for all the details you need.
Our Client Care team would be happy to help connect you with a clinic in your area, or you can visit Canadian Cannabis Clinics to arrange a free virtual consultation with a qualified healthcare practitioner.
We are proud to support our Canadian Veterans and have a team dedicated to ensuring you will get the assistance you need while exploring your medical cannabis options. Visit the Veterans Program page for all the details.
We offer a variety of cost-saving programs for those who need access to affordable medical cannabis. You can find out more about who is eligible and how to apply here.
You can request to change your address in the My Account section of the website. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with our Client Care Tea via phone at 1-877-928-7672 or email askus@auroramedical.com.