Pubdate: Fri, 02 Oct 2015
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2015 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: David Olinger

POT PROPOSAL CREATES CONCERN

Advocates Of medical Marijuana Fear Such a Policy Would Threaten the Industry.

Medical marijuana advocates fear a proposed policy from the Colorado 
Medical Board will send their industry up in smoke.

Among other things, the policy suggests that doctors who recommend 
marijuana become competent in the area of pain treatment, keep 
extensive records on their patients and advise them of the risks, 
including death.

It also suggests that "pregnancy testing during the initial 
evaluation should be considered for all women of child-bearing age."

The list of proposed recommendations has drawn about 250 public 
comments to the state, fueled speculation that Colorado is trying to 
drive pain sufferers into the taxable arena of recreational marijuana 
and generated some alarmed press-release headlines.

"Is Colorado Trying To Shut Down The Medical Marijuana Program?" one asked.

A state regulatory official offered assurances Thursday that no such 
outcome is intended.

"This is just very much guidance to licensed physicians who are 
considering making medical marijuana recommendations," said Cory 
Everett, chief of staff at the Division of Professions and 
Occupations. "It's adopting guidance, it's adopting a policy. It's 
not statute or a rule."

Everett emphasized that a law required the board to establish some 
guidance for doctors in a burgeoning industry and that none of the 
recommendations is set in stone. The state is accepting public 
comments through Friday, she said, and the medical board will review 
them before making decisions at a November meeting.

The comments, mostly negative, are piling up quickly from "many 
patients and people in the industry," Everett said.

In Colorado Springs, about 2,000 patients visit the Vibrant Health 
Clinic yearly. Owner Jessica Hogan fears the proposed policy will 
drive her out of business.

Its doctor is a pathologist, and "we wouldn't be able to see patients 
here if they want a pain management doctor to do the evaluation," she said.

About 106,000 people carry Coloradomedical marijuana cards. "If we 
can't renew their cards, they're going to grow their own, go to the 
underground market or go to the recreational stores," Hogan said. 
"Some people are reading this saying, ' Oh, it's not a big deal.' It 
is a big deal."

The proposal recommends a patient evaluation that includes a physical 
examination; a risk assessment for drug abuse; a pain assessment 
covering the pattern, duration and past and current treatments; lab 
testing as necessary; possible urine screens; and consultations with 
the patient's other doctors.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom