Insights
Patient Guides for TRT, Peptides and Medical Cannabis
Clear answers to the questions our North Dakota and Minnesota patients ask most. Every guide links to the official and clinical sources behind it.
Guides
North Dakota Medical Cannabis Evaluation: What to Bring and What Happens
What to gather before your North Dakota medical cannabis evaluation, what the clinician will ask, and what the state handles after your visit.
Read the guideND Renewal Versus a First-Time Evaluation: What Changes
How a North Dakota medical cannabis renewal visit differs from a first evaluation, what stays the same, and how to plan your timing.
Read the guideMinnesota Medical Cannabis Registration: The Current Patient Steps
A plain overview of how Minnesota medical cannabis registration works, from certification to state approval, and where to confirm current rules.
Read the guideWhat Does a Medical Cannabis Evaluation Cost at Our Clinic?
Our clinic fee for a medical cannabis evaluation, how it differs from the state's fee, and what the fee does and does not cover.
Read the guideCan I Have a Telehealth Evaluation? Questions to Ask by State
Whether a medical cannabis evaluation can be done by video depends on state rules and licensing. Here are the questions to ask before you book.
Read the guideLow Testosterone Symptoms: What an Evaluation Can and Cannot Tell You
Symptoms like low energy and low libido have many causes. Here is what a testosterone evaluation involves, what it can show, and what it cannot.
Read the guideWhat Monitoring May Be Discussed During Testosterone Treatment?
Testosterone treatment comes with regular follow-up. Here are the labs, check-ins, and symptoms your clinician may discuss, and why they matter.
Read the guidePeptide Therapy Claims: What Patients Should Ask About Evidence and Safety
Some peptides are FDA-approved medicines. Many sold online for wellness are not. Here are the questions to ask before trying any peptide.
Read the guideCBD vs THC: What the Difference Means for Patients
THC is intoxicating and CBD is not, but both have side effects and drug interactions. What the difference means for you as a patient.
Read the guideHow to Check If Your Condition Qualifies in North Dakota
North Dakota only certifies conditions on its official list. Here is the list, what your records need to show, and what to do if you are not sure.
Read the guideCaregivers and Minor Patients in North Dakota's Cannabis Program
Who can be a designated caregiver in North Dakota, what the role involves, how the caregiver application works, and what changes for minor patients.
Read the guideYour First Visit to Alternative Health Grand Forks, Step by Step
What happens when you book, send records, arrive and sit down with Dr. Ewals for the first time, and what comes after your visit.
Read the guideCrossing the Red River with Medical Cannabis: ND and MN Rules
Live in East Grand Forks and work in Grand Forks, or the reverse? How North Dakota, Minnesota and federal cannabis rules fit together for patients.
Read the guideMinnesota Medical vs Adult-Use Cannabis: Why Some Stay Registered
Adults 21 and older can now buy cannabis in Minnesota. Here is how the medical registry still differs, and how to decide whether to stay enrolled.
Read the guideHow to Request Your Medical Records for a Cannabis Evaluation
Which records help at a medical cannabis evaluation, what HIPAA says about getting copies, and how to get them to the clinic on time.
Read the guideStart Low, Go Slow: Starting Medical Cannabis Carefully
Why start low, go slow matters with medical cannabis, how onset differs by form, how to keep a symptom diary, and how to store products safely.
Read the guideMedical Cannabis and Driving, Work and Drug Tests
What a medical cannabis card does and does not change for driving, your job and drug tests, plus the questions to settle before your evaluation.
Read the guideCannabis and Medication Interactions to Discuss Before Your Visit
How cannabis and CBD may interact with sleep aids, blood thinners, seizure medicines and supplements, and what to tell your clinician before an evaluation.
Read the guideWhen Medical Cannabis May Not Be Right for You
Pregnancy, psychosis history, age, heart problems and other reasons a clinician may advise against medical cannabis, and what happens if the answer is no.
Read the guideSleep Apnea, Weight and Testosterone: Why They Are Checked Together
Tiredness, low libido and weight gain can point to sleep apnea as much as low testosterone. Here is why a careful workup looks at all three.
Read the guideTestosterone Therapy and Fertility: What to Know Before You Start
Testosterone therapy can lower sperm production. If you may want children, here is what to say, what to ask and when to see a specialist.
Read the guideHow to Prepare for a Testosterone Blood Test and Get a Clear Result
Timing, sleep, fasting and illness can all shift a testosterone result. Here is how to prepare so your numbers are easier to interpret.
Read the guideCompounded Peptides and the FDA: What Approval Means
FDA-approved, compounded and research use only are very different labels. Here is what each means for peptides and how to judge a product.
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Questions
Common Questions
Short answers to go with the guides. Still unsure? Call Will at (218) 274-4500.
See every questionHow much does it cost?
Our clinic fees are below. A $50 deposit holds your appointment, and the rest is due before your visit.
- TRT consultation: $200
- Peptide consultation: $200
- Medical cannabis: $250 for a new patient evaluation, or $230 to renew if Dr. Ewals certified you before. Any state registration fee is separate and paid to the state.
Do you take insurance?
No. We don't accept insurance. However, we accept HSA and FSA payments. That doesn't determine whether an expense is eligible: eligibility depends on your plan and IRS rules. Check with your plan administrator before paying with HSA or FSA funds.
How do I book?
Book online or call Will at (218) 274-4500. He will walk you through the entire process.
What if I need to reschedule?
You can reschedule free of charge. Fees are not refundable, so please call as early as you can if your plans change.
Do you offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Dr. Ewals sees patients in person in Grand Forks, North Dakota, or by telehealth for all North Dakota and Minnesota residents. Tell Will which you'd prefer when you book.
Do I need a referral?
No. Referrals are not required. If another clinician is treating your condition, please share any lab work or diagnoses from within the last year.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. A family member or friend is welcome at the visit if that helps you.
Do you see patients from outside North Dakota and Minnesota?
No. Dr. Ewals is licensed in North Dakota and Minnesota, so our visits are for patients in those two states.
Is the fee the same for a telehealth visit?
Yes. The clinic fee is the same whether you're seen in the office or by video.
Who will I see at my visit?
Dr. Charlotte Ewals, DNP, FNP-BC, at every visit. There are no rotating providers.
Is Dr. Ewals a medical doctor?
Dr. Ewals holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, which is where “Dr.” comes from, and is a board-certified family nurse practitioner licensed to evaluate, diagnose and prescribe. She is not a physician.
Who is Will?
Our office manager. He answers the phone, books visits, takes payment, explains how to send records securely and returns messages. If you've called us, you've probably spoken with him.
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Your First Step Takes 2 Minutes
Pick your visit, tell us how to reach you, and Will calls to confirm a time. No medical details needed to start.