BEAUMONT, Texas — A Houston-based medical marijuana clinic has come to Beaumont and they are already seeing patients online.
Texas Medical Marijuana Doctors issues medical marijuana cards, for a variety of issues, and it's important to note, the clinic is not a dispensary.
The clinic is for those who wish to explore alternative solutions to common medical problems.
"We realized there was no doctor within Jefferson County. So we just really made a really good solid business decision to get in Jefferson County and we've been getting an overwhelming response," said Texas Medical Marijuana Doctors CEO Lamont Ratcliff.
Ratcliff says the Beaumont community has backed the new clinic.
"We got absolutely no pushback from anyone," he said.
Ratcliff's clinic focuses on issuing medical marijuana cards and directly treating qualifying patients with hemp-derived edibles, terpenes and flower. He says patients suffering from anxiety, chronic pain and PTSD can get an evaluation in less than an hour.
"You'll be able to schedule an appointment, we'll match you with the doctor we feel that is best within our practice for your particular diagnosis," Ratcliff said. "Once you do that the process takes about 45 minutes with the doctor and after that, you're given your prescription and then you meet with someone within our practice that will show you how to facilitate that prescription how to actually fulfill that here in Texas."
The clinic will also be selling their hemp-based products which don't go above 0.3 percent THC.
"Our main thing is the medical cards. The products are kind of on the side to help patients out," said Texas Medical Marijuana Doctors Vice President of Products Anthony Barnes.
Barnes says their products are far safer than items you'll find in local smoke shops.
"Our products are lab-tested and come with COA, which means Certificate of Analysis that the products have no harmful chemicals or no metals or anything like that. In some smoke shops, you'll find a cheaper product, but you won't know what's in it," Barnes said.
The clinic does not accept medical insurance and Barnes tells 12News that a medical marijuana card will cost anywhere between $200-$300 a year.
There are currently three dispensaries in Texas where Barnes says you can go to fulfill your prescription or you can have it mailed it to you.
The clinic in Beaumont is doing virtual consultations until their grand opening Monday, July 15. They're located at 180 N. 11th Street, Suite 200.