Pubdate: Sun, 08 Feb 2015
Source: Times-Tribune, The (Scranton PA)
Copyright: 2015 Townnews.com
Contact:  http://www.thetimes-tribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4440
Author: Jay Sochoka

GOING TO MEDICAL POT

Editor: I am excited about Gov. Tom Wolf 's willingness to sign a 
medical cannabis act into law. I use cannabis instead of marijuana 
because I don't like referring to a medication by a street slang term.

When it becomes law, as a pharmacist, I would like to see things 
happen involving the state's health care professionals. If physicians 
will write prescriptions for medical cannabis, shouldn't registered 
pharmacists dispense it ? We don't want the laity dispensing 
narcotics for medical purposes - unfortunately, plenty makes it onto 
the street. Dispensing controlled substances without skimming off the 
top is what a pharmacy's staff does.

The other thing that should be in our control is the manufacturing of 
edibles, oils and other consumables that become pharmaceuticals once 
the medication is introduced into dosage form. Our ability for 
quality control is unsurpassed by any other profession.

I urge that the enterprise is not run by the "state store" model. 
Community pharmacy isn't based that way, and this shouldn't be, 
either. Free enterprise is what makes commerce flow and evolve and 
being an entrepreneur in this state should be lauded, not suppressed.

I believe that another breed of professionals should be able to 
prescribe medical cannabis. Chiropractors work with natural remedies 
and this is totally in their wheelhouse. They should be allowed to 
dispense the medication.

If opiate detoxification is not listed as an acceptable disease state 
for medical cannabis therapy, it should be. It is a safer alternative 
than current opioids available. If I could get a heroin addict to use 
cannabis exclusively, I'd call that a win any day.

Medical cannabis would offer a legitimate, and healthier, alternative 
to many current pharmaceuticals that are often abused in current pain 
management and mental health protocols.

JAY SOCHOKA

COVINGTON TWP.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom