Pubdate: Mon, 31 May 2010 Source: Helena Independent Record (MT) Copyright: 2010 Helena Independent Record Contact: http://helenair.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1187 Author: Peter Blouke MEDICAL ASSOCIATION NEEDS TO TAKE LEAD ROLE IN MEDICAL MARIJUANA The fundamental problem of abuse of the medical marijuana law rest squarely with the inability or unwillingness of the Montana Medical Association to competently discharge their responsibility to monitor and enforce legitimate standards of medical practice by physicians in the state. Under the current law, no one can legally purchase marijuana without a licensed physician's approval. If the Montana Medical Association would simply enforce accepted standards of medical practice that would allow legitimate implementation of the current law and crack down on rogue physicians (many from out-of-state but licensed by the Montana Medical Association to practice in Montana) that for a simple fee of $100-$150 prescribe marijuana willy nilly to just about anybody without any physical examination or in some instances without even actually seeing the individual. Montanans deserve better from their professional medical association which ultimately has the responsibility to establish and enforce standards of medical practice in our state. Peter Blouke Helena - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom