The Colorado Sun has the story..
A new Colorado law aimed at keeping young people from buying and reselling highly potent THC concentrate has sparked concerns from doctors who recommend medical cannabis about how the new provisions could jeopardize their ability to practice medicine.
The law, which has some doctors saying they have stopped working with medical cannabis patients altogether, requires that patients obtain written “certifications” from doctors in order to access marijuana concentrates over a new daily limit. Doctors must include new information on those forms like a patient’s address, maximum THC potency level, dosage, directions for use and a daily authorized quantity.
Previously in Colorado, doctors would recommend cannabis rather than prescribe it, in keeping with a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that protects a doctor’s right to “recommend” and discuss the health benefits of cannabis as part of a doctor-patient relationship.
But the new requirements for concentrates in House Bill 1317, which was approved by the legislature last year, are more akin to writing a prescription for cannabis, which remains illegal under federal law, said Dr. Laura Lasater. Doctors must maintain an active certification with the Drug Enforcement Agency to practice medicine.
2021a_1317_signed“Cannabis is still considered a Schedule I drug,” said Lasater, who left her job at a medical cannabis clinic in Denver in protest over the new rules. “I could lose my DEA license by trying to write the specifications (the state) is now requiring.”
Doctors have also cited provisions under the state’s Medical Practices Act that prohibit them from “administering, dispensing or prescribing any habit-forming drug or any controlled substance.”
It is unknown how many doctors have decided to stop working with cannabis patients. There are 25,857 physicians currently licensed to practice medicine in Colorado. By comparison, just 326 providers — which can include dentists, advanced nurse practitioners and physician assistants — wrote recommendations for cannabis patients last year.
At least one clinic has closed amid concerns over the new law.
Read more. https://coloradosun.com/2022/02/07/hb-1317-medical-cannabis-doctors-leaving/
