Svn (7) Questions with Dr. Kerklaan
We sat down with Dr. Andrew Kerklaan, founder of Dr. Kerklaan Therapeutics based out of Montreal, Canada to find out more about the man behind the brand and really important stuff like what three things you would have with you if stranded on a deserted island.
Where are you from?
I’m from Montreal, Canada but launched my Chiropractic career in London, England. After 5 years in the UK, I returned home to open my own clinic, that provided treatment for a wide range of patients and conditions. I focused on health, wellness, and pain management.
Why did you start Dr. Kerklaan Therapeutics?
Dr. Kerklaan Therapeutics was inspired from my continued desire to help my patients. In 2014, patients attending were starting to ask questions about cannabis. At that time, I simply did not have the answers to confidently address concerns. I took the opportunity to research, study and attend conferences in order to confidently provide answers to patients who were asking about the health benefits of cannabis.
I also had an epiphany moment after treating a patient in her mid-eighties. She was suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. She was faced with a chronic cycle of pain and poor sleep contributed to by the many medications she was taking. After suggesting she research a prescription for medicinal cannabis, I was amazed that as a conservative, older patient, she was willing to give cannabis a try.
Over the next couple of months, it led to an incredible change in her health. While it didn’t resolve all her health issues, it had this tremendous effect on her. It was amazing to see her willingness to try cannabis for her health.
This really opened my eyes and set me on the course to figuring out how I could help people. As a chiropractor, you are personally invested in caring for people one-on-one. Our products are really an extension of that care I always provide my patients.
Why cannabis?
The more I researched cannabis and the more I saw the health effects people experienced with it and the more I was convinced of its benefits. Despite a lack of research, due largely in part to regulations restricting cannabis, people obviously benefitted from the plant. There was significant interest, but at the same time a significant lack of information. I committed to educating and sharing the information I had gained through my studies. It was also clear to me that there was a lack of products that were professionally developed, packaged and branded. As a professional I felt there weren’t many products I could confidently recommend to my patients. I took it upon myself to create products and a brand that the public could trust.
Canada is already much more forward thinking when it comes to cannabis. How has the new Cannabis Act affected your brand?
It is still early days in Canada. The country is ahead of the world in terms of federal and provincial regulations but we are actually behind some areas in terms of consumer goods and brands. The Canadian government hasn’t opened the market yet for topical products like edibles and vaporizers. This will all be rolled out as a second set to the regulations in the fall of 2019.
What is your personal favorite of all of your products and why?
My personal favorite is the Natural CBD Pain Spray. I really enjoy the convenience of the spray and the significant cooling effect. The smell of eucalyptus and peppermint spells relief for some of my chronic sports injuries! Keeping it in the fridge adds additional cooling relief.
Thoughts on topicals vs. sublingual CBD products? Any new products on the horizon?
Our brand and products have been so well received that we have been asked by many to develop additional products. Stay tuned…we have some great new products coming out in 2019!
Now a fun one. If you were stuck on a deserted island, what three things would you like to have with you?
I would choose 3 people over 3 things! My wife and our two kids. I’m sure as a team we could figure out a way to survive. As long as my wife didn’t kill me first…
I’d also want to sneak in some Natural Skin Cream for relief all those harsh sun rays!
