Pubdate: Thu, 03 Apr 2014
Source: Metro (Calgary, CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/Calgary
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4471
Author: Jeremy Nolais, with files from Leah Germain

POT-FRIENDLY ALBERTA DOCS IN SHORT SUPPLY

'Gatekeepers'. Federal reforms spark new rules for province's
physicians

Patients and experts fear prospective Alberta medicinal marijuana
users will have an impossible time acquiring a prescription as new
rules turn physicians into the "gatekeepers" of the drug.

The concerns stem from new regulations implemented by Health Canada
April 1, which have put the onus on doctors across the country to
determine who can turn to commercial growers to treat their ailments
with cannabis. Previously Health Canada had to approve applications to
access the drug.

Numerous pro-marijuana advocates told Metro there were already very
few doctors in Alberta willing to dole the bud, when compared with
other provinces like B.C.

Fonda Betts, chief operation officer of GreenLeaf Medical Clinic in
Abbotsford, B.C., said many doctors are hesitant to prescribe
marijuana because it comes with a huge learning curve.

"It's a challenge for physicians who don't understand the cannabis
landscape," she said.

"The medical marijuana industry is so fast-moving, you have to keep
your finger on the pulse. The medicine is changing all the time,"
Betts added.

Meeting with patients via webcam, Betts said the doctor GreenLeaf has
prescribed to a number of Albertans that can't find a doctor locally.

After federal reforms took effect this week, the College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Alberta was prompted to introduce new pre-prescription
regulations.

Among other requirements, physicians must now document more
traditional treatments offered to their patient and provide evidence
they have professional training specific to the use of marijuana
before providing the drug.

College spokesperson Kelly Eby was quick to point out that the
federal-regulating body Health Canada has not approved the use of
marijuana but was required by the courts to provide "reasonable access."

Eby said the new rules turn the college's members into "gatekeepers"
of the controversial substance, thus prompting the new
requirements.

"Certainly, we've heard that their are concerns from (physicians)
about their new role," she said.

Eby said the number of marijuana-friendly doctors in Alberta is not
actively tracked.

But numerous users interviewed indicated anecdotally that bud-friendly
physicians are few and far between.
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MAP posted-by: Matt