Pubdate: Thu, 08 Nov 2012
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)
Copyright: 2012 Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Contact:  http://www.telegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/509
Note: Rarely prints LTEs from outside circulation area - requires 
'Letter to the Editor' in subject
Author: Donna Boynton

MEDICAL POT LAW MOVES TO DETAILS

Relief is one step closer for patients suffering from debilitating 
medical conditions, now that voters have approved a measure to 
legalize medicinal marijuana.

Supporters say the next step is to move forward with fine-tuning a 
bill to bring to the state Legislature, while opponents say marijuana 
is not proven medicine and its medical use will be closely watched.

On Tuesday, voters approved Question 3 by 63 percent to 37 percent of 
the ballots cast across the state. It would allow the medical use of 
marijuana by eliminating the state criminal and civil penalties for 
patients being found in possession of the drug. Patients qualify for 
using marijuana by having a debilitating medical condition and 
obtaining a written certification from a doctor with whom they have a 
medical relationship.

Under the law, a patient would be allowed to possess a 60-day supply 
and to designate a personal caregiver over the age of 21 to assist 
with the plant's medical use. Both the patient and the designated 
caregiver will have to register with the state Department of Public Health.

In addition, the law would allow for medical marijuana treatment 
centers to register with the state DPH to grow and distribute 
marijuana to patients and their designated caregivers.

"The people of Massachusetts have spoken and we are ready to begin 
crafting regulation and oversight procedures. We look forward to 
working closely with patients and the state to ensure an 
implementation process that will make the Massachusetts medical 
marijuana program the safest and most secure medical treatment 
program in the country," said Matt Allen, executive director of 
Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance.

The question was also supported by the Massachusetts Nurses Association.

"We are very encouraged by its passing and the opportunity it will 
present to patients who are suffering," David Schildmeier, spokesman 
for the Massachusetts Nurses Association, adding that the focus is 
now on fine-tuning the bill.

Mr. Schildmeier said the Massachusetts Nurses Association supported 
Question 3 because nurses are on the front lines treating patients 
and understand the benefits medicinal marijuana could have on certain 
conditions.

"Medical marijuana is a treatment that can assist in care and 
recovery," Mr. Schilemeier said. "It won't happen immediately, but 
once there is a process in place to acquire marijuana, it can be very 
effective in a number of medical conditions controlling the symptoms 
and side effects from other medications."

Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Medical Society, which opposed the 
measure, holds fast to its belief that marijuana is not proven medicine.

"It has not been subjected to the same rigorous testing and trials as 
other drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration and used 
every day in practice by physicians," Dr. Richard Aghababian, 
president of the group, said in a statement.

The MMS has asked the Drug Enforcement Administration to reclassify 
marijuana to conduct clinical trials to determine its medical value.

"Until its effectiveness is proven clinically and accepted by the 
FDA, we urge physicians to refrain from recommending it to their 
patients," Dr. Aghababian said. "Above all, the prescribing of drugs 
by a physician should be based on clinical and medical evidence, not 
by popular vote. Further, we will closely monitor the impact of this 
law and will not hesitate to recommend changes if necessary."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom