Pennsylvania released draft regulations Tuesday for doctors who wish to prescribe medical marijuana as the permitting process for growers and dispensaries continues.
Doctors have until — perhaps appropriately enough — Apr. 20 to submit comments on the new temporary rules governing how the medicine can be obtained.
“The process for a patient to obtain medical marijuana will begin with the physician, so it’s vital to ensure that our regulatory process for those physicians is open and transparent,” Health Secretary Karen Murphy said, in a written statement.
Physicians with an active medical license who are qualified to treat patients with at least one serious medical condition must apply for registration with the department in order to qualify to certify patients to use the drug.
In Pennsylvania, patients must receive a doctor’s certification in order to obtain medical marijuana.
Before being approved, doctors must complete a four-hour training course covering the latest medical marijuana research and best practices.
The draft regulations also cover a number of ethical questions for doctors who choose to prescribe substances, including cannabidiol extracts and oils, still considered a Schedule 1 drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Under the DOH’s regulations, doctors would be barred from advertising that they are able to prescribe medicinal marijuana. The first medical marijuana TV ad aired in California in 2010, raising debate over the ethics of practitioners directly targeting patients.
Pennsylvania’s proposed rules bar doctors from having a direct or economic interest in a medical marijuana organization. They also cannot issue a patient certification for themselves or a family or household member. Any adverse reactions must immediately be reported to the dispensary.
credit:420intel.com
