Columbia Norml
  • Home
  • Norml News
  • Medical News
  • National News
  • User Manuals
  • Privacy Policy
0332ac2f9b-826x470
May 16, 2023

Op-ed: Get more docs certified for prescribing medical marijuana

admin Medical Marijuana News

0332ac2f9b.jpeg

Published: Mar 14, 2018, 4:25 pm • Updated: Mar 14, 2018, 4:25 pm

By Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Editorial Board

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s announcement of new medical marijuana guidelines for doctors interested in certifying patients for treatment could well be a game changer in advancing this alternative to traditional pain relief.

Under Pennsylvania’s 2016 law, patients with 17 qualifying medical conditions must be doctor-certified to apply for a state-issued medical marijuana card. But statewide, only about 433 docs are certified to do so.

UPMC didn’t preclude its doctors from participating in the state medical marijuana program, which requires a four-hour training course. But by providing guidelines to hundreds of UPMC doctors, the region’s health care giant swings open the door to more certifications.


Related stories

  • Philadelphia-area medical marijuana dispensaries running dry
  • Photos: Pennsylvania’s first medical marijuana dispensaries now open
  • Pennsylvania police: “Unlawful” for patients to keep guns obtained before enrolling in MMJ program
  • 1,000 sign up for Pennsylvania medical marijuana program on first day. Here’s how to join them
  • Pennsylvania starts signing up medical marijuana patients

It shouldn’t be long before Allegheny Health Network, which says it’s developing its own medical marijuana policy, and Excela Health follow suit.

Here’s hoping that growing acceptance will advance medical marijuana as a viable pain-treatment alternative. Regrettably that benefit has been considerably diminished because marijuana remains listed by the federal government as a Schedule I controlled substance, which egregiously equates it with heroin. Stigmatized by its federal designation, medical marijuana isn’t covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Typically patients have to pay cash for it.

UPMC’s guidelines should open more eyes to medical marijuana’s benefits. And maybe one day that vision will extend beyond Pennsylvania to the fiefdoms of federal policymakers.

Topics: medical marijuana, medical marijuana doctors, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania medical marijuana, pittsburgh

Colorado Republican congressman wants to reschedule marijuana to allow medical research Virginia Senate majority leader proposes marijuana decriminalization

Related Posts

efc7f2ab2f-826x470

Medical Marijuana News

Washington State Health Department misfires on anti-pot message targeting Latinos

4c38a4e7af-826x470

Medical Marijuana News

More prime shopping time: Colorado Springs dispensaries may get extended hours

826b25dbe5-826x470

Medical Marijuana News

CBD blending in at juice and smoothie bars

Recent Posts

  • be-careful-shipping-drugs-through-the-mail-this-holiday-season_1Be Careful Shipping Drugs Through the Mail This Holiday Season
  • ‘Pharma Bro’ Martin Shkreli Found Guilty on 3 Fraud Charges
  • efc7f2ab2f-826x470Washington State Health Department misfires on anti-pot message targeting Latinos
  • What To Do With Seized Marijuana Grow Equipment?
  • Radical Rant: UK Cannabis Social Clubs Are Leading the Charge for Legalization
  • 4c38a4e7af-826x470More prime shopping time: Colorado Springs dispensaries may get extended hours
  • 2017-high-times-cannabis-cup-canada-day-1-recap_12017 HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup Canada: Day 1 Recap
  • 826b25dbe5-826x470CBD blending in at juice and smoothie bars
  • Cannabis-Loving Catholics Plan to Defy Church, Burn Marijuana Oil Inside DC Basilica
  • Stoner Sex: Porn, Choking, Painful Intercourse & Weed Whores

Categories

  • Medical Marijuana News
  • National Marijuana News
  • NORML News
Columbia Norml