Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
An overwhelming majority of West Virginian physicians are "interested" in medical cannabis, according to a survey conducted by the Department of Health and Human Resources.
Of 1,455 physicians who took the online survey, 82 percent of them indicated their interest in medical marijuana, which will be legal in the state come July 2019 thanks to a law passed during the last legislative session.
Dr. Rahul Gupta, state health officer and commissioner of the state Bureau for Public Health, said the high response volume gives the state a sound outlook on patient and physician views of the looming change.
"We found that to be compelling that there is a certain level of interest, not just from patients, but from the physician community," he said.
Along with doctors, the bureau analyzed survey results from 6,003 West Virginians, as well as PEIA and Medicaid claim data to tease out what tweaks, if any, might be needed for the nascent program.
Of the patients who responded, 2,120 reported suffering from chronic pain, 1,579 reported suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and another 980 reported suffering from a mental health disorder.
The Medicaid and PEIA data shows crossover between some of the most prevalent conditions in the state and the list of conditions whose victims qualify to obtain medical marijuana.
Regarding the PEIA data set, 8,632 people submitted claims related to neuropathy conditions between January 2015 and June 2017. In that same time frame, 8,378 people submitted cancer claims, 6,561 people submitted claims regarding chronic pain and 6,289 people submitted claims regarding PTSD.
Among Medicaid recipients, 55,666 submitted claims regarding cancer, 25,101 submitted claims regarding seizure disorders, 23,869 submitted claims regarding chronic pain and 10,692 submitted claims regarding PTSD, all within the same time period.
"That certainly tells you that when the legislature put in those 15 conditions, those are certainly some of the top conditions in that data set that people feel the need for help [with]," Gupta said.
Under the new law, starting July 1, 2019, people diagnosed with 15 select conditions may obtain medical marijuana after a physician certifies their condition. Those conditions, per the West Virginia Medical Cannabis Board, are cancer, HIV or AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage, epilepsy, neuropathy, Huntington's disease, Crohn's disease, PTSD, intractable seizures, sickle cell anemia, certain chronic pains and certain terminal illnesses.
There is still work to be done and change for the organization to consider. Among the questions Gupta said the board is considering: Should the state limit how many dispensaries can obtain a permit to sell? Should the board approve the sale of marijuana in plant form? Should patients be allowed to grow their own marijuana plants? Should patients be able to purchase any other forms of marijuana?
Marijuana will be available to certified patients in the form of a pill, oil, topical, via vaporization or nebulization, tincture, liquid or dermal patch.
Gupta said the board is scheduled to meet again in February.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Survey: 82 percent of WV doctors 'interested' in medical marijuana | News | wvgazettemail.com
Author: Jake Zuckerman
Contact: Contact Us | Site | wvgazettemail.com
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Website: wvgazettemail.com | A Pulitzer Prize Winning Newspaper
Of 1,455 physicians who took the online survey, 82 percent of them indicated their interest in medical marijuana, which will be legal in the state come July 2019 thanks to a law passed during the last legislative session.
Dr. Rahul Gupta, state health officer and commissioner of the state Bureau for Public Health, said the high response volume gives the state a sound outlook on patient and physician views of the looming change.
"We found that to be compelling that there is a certain level of interest, not just from patients, but from the physician community," he said.
Along with doctors, the bureau analyzed survey results from 6,003 West Virginians, as well as PEIA and Medicaid claim data to tease out what tweaks, if any, might be needed for the nascent program.
Of the patients who responded, 2,120 reported suffering from chronic pain, 1,579 reported suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and another 980 reported suffering from a mental health disorder.
The Medicaid and PEIA data shows crossover between some of the most prevalent conditions in the state and the list of conditions whose victims qualify to obtain medical marijuana.
Regarding the PEIA data set, 8,632 people submitted claims related to neuropathy conditions between January 2015 and June 2017. In that same time frame, 8,378 people submitted cancer claims, 6,561 people submitted claims regarding chronic pain and 6,289 people submitted claims regarding PTSD.
Among Medicaid recipients, 55,666 submitted claims regarding cancer, 25,101 submitted claims regarding seizure disorders, 23,869 submitted claims regarding chronic pain and 10,692 submitted claims regarding PTSD, all within the same time period.
"That certainly tells you that when the legislature put in those 15 conditions, those are certainly some of the top conditions in that data set that people feel the need for help [with]," Gupta said.
Under the new law, starting July 1, 2019, people diagnosed with 15 select conditions may obtain medical marijuana after a physician certifies their condition. Those conditions, per the West Virginia Medical Cannabis Board, are cancer, HIV or AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage, epilepsy, neuropathy, Huntington's disease, Crohn's disease, PTSD, intractable seizures, sickle cell anemia, certain chronic pains and certain terminal illnesses.
There is still work to be done and change for the organization to consider. Among the questions Gupta said the board is considering: Should the state limit how many dispensaries can obtain a permit to sell? Should the board approve the sale of marijuana in plant form? Should patients be allowed to grow their own marijuana plants? Should patients be able to purchase any other forms of marijuana?
Marijuana will be available to certified patients in the form of a pill, oil, topical, via vaporization or nebulization, tincture, liquid or dermal patch.
Gupta said the board is scheduled to meet again in February.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Survey: 82 percent of WV doctors 'interested' in medical marijuana | News | wvgazettemail.com
Author: Jake Zuckerman
Contact: Contact Us | Site | wvgazettemail.com
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Website: wvgazettemail.com | A Pulitzer Prize Winning Newspaper
