While the recreational side of the marijuana industry has seen a boom since the Cannabis Act went into effect last month, the medical side continues to expand across Canada as well.

Vancouver-based Premier Health Group (CSE: PHGI, OTCQB: PHGRF) just issued a press release announcing the organization will expand its healthcare offerings by launching a Canadian chain of cannabis clinics in early 2019.

Until now, Premier Health Group has provided services through the HealthVue line of clinics and has been focused on expansion in the Dominican Republic. The company also began trading common shares in the US on the OTCQB Venture Market last month.

This shift towards providing cannabis to patients in Canada arrives after Dr. Essam Hamza took over for interim Chief Executive Officer Yari Nieken in August of 2018.

Premier Health CEO Dr. Essam Hamza commented: “The role of Cannabis in treating medical conditions is continuously expanding. Our doctors have had success treating their patients with various ailments from chronic pain to cancer related symptoms.”

Dr. Hamza went on to say, “Unfortunately, there is a gap between the patient’s need for medical marijuana, and the family doctor’s comfort and knowledge to prescribe it. We are looking to fill that gap with various forms of clinics and services to help our patients and healthcare workers.”

Updates on the specific brands being acquired to enter the medical cannabis market under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations are expected to be announced in Q1 2019.

Premier Health Group’s intention to open new clinics is just the latest move in a string of announcements from Canadian companies entering the medical cannabis industry since the passage of the Cannabis Act.

Last week, Global Health Clinics Ltd. (CSE: MJRX) announced a partnership with Integrative Alternative Health Services to add cannabis clinics to their lineup of health services. Veritas Pharma Inc. (CSE: VRT) also began human trials on a new strain of cannabis focused on pain management.

On the larger scale, Shoppers Drug Mart announced plans at the end of September to move into the medical marijuana business.

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