Pubdate: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM) Copyright: 2011 Albuquerque Journal Contact: http://www.abqjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10 WILL MEDICAL POT UNIT BLOW THE SECRECY AWAY? Our biggest priority is to make sure that (New Mexico's medical marijuana) program runs efficiently and effectively and that the patients are served in a timely manner.=94 =AD Health Secretary Dr. Catherine Torres Efficiency and effectiveness are good reasons for the administration of Republican Gov. Susana Martinez to propose a new, self-supporting unit instead of the Department of Health to administer the state's medical marijuana program. But transparency about 25 state-sanctioned pot producers as well as the certifying physicians would be worthwhile goals as well. The medical cannabis program, approved by forward-thinking state legislators who understood that one measure of a civilized society is how it cares for its most vulnerable, was implemented with the best of intentions. Those being to offer patients who have chronic/terminal illnesses some respite from the pain and nausea endemic to their conditions. But in addition to those living with diagnoses including cancer, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS =AD along with a few ne'er-do-wells caught up in the criminal justice system =AD the program has protected organizations and the people associated with them who have no claim to medical privacy. That would be the physicians who certify qualifying conditions for and the providers who are licensed to legally grow and sell what, under federal law, is still an illegal substance. And so for four years, New Mexicans have had no way of knowing if the program is run efficiently and effectively or if its patients are served in a timely fashion. Regulations regarding background checks of providers have been so lax that only arrests in New Mexico raise red flags, and then only those that involve recent, serious felony drug-related charges. There is no way of knowing if providers are convicted money launderers or stopped dealing smack seven years ago. No way of knowing if patients are being gouged for a medication that insurance doesn't cover or that isn't up to state standards. No way of knowing if a few Dr. Feelgoods are handing out certifications like Pez. No way of knowing if officers in a so-called nonprofit are getting rich providing the sick and dying with a little relief. It may be more efficient and effective to move the medical marijuana program out from under the Health Department and make it a seven-person, self-supporting unit. But lifting the veil of secrecy conjured by the Richardson administration =AD which ridiculously protects the identities of providers who advertise their product =AD would give the program credibility to go with the compassion that's in the title of its enabling legislation. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom