What’s driving the uptick in legislation
Demographic trends have been changing in support of the use of medical marijuana, says Villalobos. This is the case among younger voters and older voters (especially those experiencing chronic pain) who might have been more conservative about the legalization of marijuana in the past.
Vitiello, who has been teaching law for 40 years, expresses concern that it may, in fact, be too easy for some patients to get a recommendation from their doctor for medical marijuana, given the number of his contemporaries he’s talked to who either have a card that allows them to use medical marijuana legally or those who are interested in the legal use of marijuana for the treatment of arthritis pain, for example.
Still, the reality of managing patients’ pain in the midst of a very serious opioid epidemic means medical marijuana could be appropriate for some patients, he says.
3.Special considerations for providers
There are several issues healthcare executives must consider when it comes to medical marijuana. Here are some of the most noteworthy:
Federal policies. The federal government considers marijuana—just like heroin and LSD—to be a Schedule I drug under the U.S Controlled Substances Act. While the Department of Justice provided guidance to states in 2016 that essentially said the federal government wouldn’t prosecute the use of medical marijuana, it’s conceivable that could change under the Trump administration, says Vitiello.
·State-specific requirements. Villalobos advises healthcare executives to keep apprised of state laws on medical marijuana. For example, in Pennsylvania, where he practices, a physician has to register with the state if he or she wants to participate in the medical marijuana program—and that’s after taking part in a four-hour training session.
·Documentation. After a patient has been certified by their doctor as having a medical condition that qualifies them to use medical marijuana, the doctor’s recommendation for medical marijuana must be given to the patient and the patient’s record must also be updated. Once in receipt of a medical marijuana card, the patient can to go to a dispensary and receive medical marijuana.
Prescription rules. It’s important to consider the side effects and benefits associated with medical marijuana, as opposed to other alternatives, says Josh Kappel, partner at Vicente Sederberg LLC’s Denver office. “[Medical marijuana] doesn’t have that many contraindications with other drugs, but this is something to look into.”
·Ingestion guidelines. Healthcare executives may need to determine if it’s appropriate to provide a space for patients to ingest medical marijuana, says Kappel. Providing a safe, legal place for patients to ingest medical marijuana could be a positive alternative to the “massive epidemic of opioid abuse and addiction,” he says.
Still, Villalobos cautions against providing a “safe space for actually utilizing medical marijuana, since that means [healthcare facilities] are more actively promoting and facilitating [its use].” Accidents, trips, and falls are incidents healthcare facilities need to consider when medical marijuana is consumed on their premises, and that could hypothetically create a liability for the organization, he says. It’s also important to consider that many states don’t allow providers to store medical marijuana on their premises, he adds.
·Liability. Healthcare organizations need to have the appropriate level of coverage and indemnification if claims are lodged against them as a result of their medical marijuana policies, says Villalobos.
credit:managedhealthcareexecutive.modernmedicine.com