Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
New York state will require physicians to complete an educational course before they can authorize medical marijuana for patients – an unusual mandate not applied to other new drugs or seen in other states with medical marijuana programs.
State officials say the 4½-hour, $250-online course will inform doctors about a complex drug treatment not covered in medical school. But while the investment of time and money is modest, some patient advocates worry the inconvenience could discourage physicians from participating, ultimately limiting patient access.
Medical marijuana is expected to be available beginning in January, 18 months after lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved what they intended to be a cautious program balancing patient need with concerns about abuse.
While many of the other 22 states with comprehensive medical marijuana programs offer physicians free, voluntarily resources about the drug, they haven't required physicians to pay for training before they can authorize cannabis.
Only one other drug is subject to a similar training requirement – a potent narcotic used to treat opiate addiction – and those rules come from the federal government.
"Doctors recommend medications all the time for which they are not required to undergo special training," said Julie Netherland, deputy state director for the Drug Policy Alliance, a group that supports medical marijuana. "Obviously it is good for doctors to be educated about medical cannabis, but the concern is whether this will serve as a deterrent. How many doctors will choose to go through this training?"
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Training Program To Be A Requirement For Doctors Who Prescribe Cannabis
Author: The Associated Press
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Fox News
State officials say the 4½-hour, $250-online course will inform doctors about a complex drug treatment not covered in medical school. But while the investment of time and money is modest, some patient advocates worry the inconvenience could discourage physicians from participating, ultimately limiting patient access.
Medical marijuana is expected to be available beginning in January, 18 months after lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved what they intended to be a cautious program balancing patient need with concerns about abuse.
While many of the other 22 states with comprehensive medical marijuana programs offer physicians free, voluntarily resources about the drug, they haven't required physicians to pay for training before they can authorize cannabis.
Only one other drug is subject to a similar training requirement – a potent narcotic used to treat opiate addiction – and those rules come from the federal government.
"Doctors recommend medications all the time for which they are not required to undergo special training," said Julie Netherland, deputy state director for the Drug Policy Alliance, a group that supports medical marijuana. "Obviously it is good for doctors to be educated about medical cannabis, but the concern is whether this will serve as a deterrent. How many doctors will choose to go through this training?"
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Training Program To Be A Requirement For Doctors Who Prescribe Cannabis
Author: The Associated Press
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Fox News
