Published by Lookforzebras
Medical marijuana is decriminalized in 36 U.S. states and D.C., with more states moving toward legalization. Despite federal restrictions, marijuana is widely acknowledged for its medicinal benefits, particularly in treating chronic pain, PTSD, seizures, multiple sclerosis, and more. Moreover, its therapeutic potential continues to gain recognition across various medical fields.
As a result of these promising benefits, marijuana doctors are increasingly willing to navigate uncharted legal territories to provide the best possible treatment for their patients. By staying compliant with state laws and staying updated on emerging trends, marijuana doctors ensure patients receive the relief they need. Moreover, they maintain high standards of care, adapting to new treatments as they become available.
Here is a hilarious snippet from SNL with Kevin Spacey and Will Farrell that shows us how not to dispense marijuana.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxyh5YSW0JU
Table of Contents
- Steps to a Career as a Medical Marijuana Doctor
- What Qualifications Does a Medical Marijuana Doctor Need?
- Health Benefits of Cannabis
- What Does a Cannabis Doctor Do?
- Legal Liability
- Benefits of Opting a Career as a Medical Marijuana Doctor
- Medical Marijuana: Tracking and Legal Compliance
- Becoming a Medical Marijuana Doctor: Key Considerations
Steps to a Career as a Medical Marijuana Doctor
The first step to start a successful career as a cannabis doctor is to meet all the state licensing requirements. It may vary across states, but the qualifications are similar across the board. You may check state-specific requirements on the state government’s website.
Qualifications Required for a Cannabis Doctor:
- Must be a Board Certified MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)
- Need to be licensed to practice in their respective state.
- Required to be registered to submit certifications online.
- Must have basic knowledge in computer skills
- Should have unrestricted Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) verification to function as a supervising physician
The qualifications generally don’t vary much from state to state. However, while doctors don’t need a special degree to administer medical marijuana, they must gain the necessary knowledge to provide accurate treatment.
The doctors must also understand the biological effects of using medical cannabis and their treatment’s clinical and legal implications.
What Qualifications Does a Medical Marijuana Doctor Need?
A marijuana doctor is no different from other doctors, except they are qualified and willing to recommend marijuana for treatment. Physicians who recommend cannabis must stay informed about its uses, side effects, and contraindications. Additionally, they need to adhere to professional standards. Furthermore, staying updated through research and peer consultations is crucial.
Required Knowledge and Education
Physicians must actively research the proven uses of cannabis and be aware of its risks. Despite federal restrictions on cannabis research, there are several essential areas doctors need to focus on:
- Understanding Pulmonary and Immune Effects
Study the effects of smoking marijuana on pulmonary function and immune status. - Tracking Medical Marijuana Sources and Patient Use
Follow state initiatives that track marijuana sources and monitor patients who use it for therapeutic purposes. - Patient History and Addiction Awareness
Be knowledgeable about a patient’s marijuana and other drug use history, including potential addiction. - Counseling on Risks
Counsel patients on the risks of both short-term and long-term marijuana use. - Addiction Medicine Certification
Obtain certification or training in addiction medicine to better understand the complexities of cannabis use.
Best Practices for Cannabis Treatment
- Reviewing Dosage Recommendations
Stay up-to-date on the latest recommendations about marijuana usage and dosing guidelines. - Confirming Previous Treatment Attempts
Ensure that other treatment methods were tried and failed before recommending marijuana as a therapeutic option. - Ensuring Quality and Safety
Ensure that the marijuana source has standardized THC levels and is free of contaminants.
Resources for Medical Marijuana Education
For example, the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association offers a course on marijuana treatment. Florida Osteopathic Medical Association Marijuana Courses
Legal and Ethical Considerations
The Federation of State Medical Boards has provided guidelines for physicians recommending marijuana treatment. Key points include:
- No Financial Interests in Marijuana Businesses
A cannabis doctor should not have any financial interest in marijuana-related organizations, such as dispensaries, cultivators, or processors. Additionally, the doctor’s office should not be located near such facilities. - Consultation with Specialists for Mental Health or Substance Abuse Patients
For patients with mental health issues or substance abuse disorders, the treating physician should consult with a specialist in psychiatry or pain management before developing a treatment plan that includes marijuana.
Documentation and Follow-Up
A cannabis doctor must maintain detailed written records of the treatment plan, including:
- Patient’s medical history
- Proof of consent to treat
- Results of follow-up assessments
- Notes from consulting specialists
- Ongoing treatment plan for marijuana use
Contribution to Research
The case notes kept by marijuana doctors can be valuable for continuing research on the effectiveness and safety of medicinal marijuana for various conditions. Detailed and accurate notes help improve the overall understanding of cannabis treatment and benefit the community as a whole.
Health Benefits of Cannabis
According to the studies performed by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), medicinal marijuana has many therapeutic benefits, but the risk factors are undefined at present.
Here is Dr. Alan Shackelford listing the potential benefits of medical marijuana on TED.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVlIZkbdwF4
The studies have also shown that using controlled doses of marijuana reduces nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy. It also relieves depression, insomnia, chronic pain, and chronic digestive disorders.
A physician aiming to become a cannabis doctor must know how the cannabinoid system affects a person. Due to federal restrictions, doctors must learn from the existing research and other medical marijuana doctors.
What Does a Cannabis Doctor Do?
A cannabis doctor primarily performs patient evaluations to determine if they qualify for medical marijuana treatment. marijuana is a lifesaver for many patients, and a cannabis doctor should make sure patients who need it have access to it.
A cannabis doctor’s responsibility is to:
- First, meet with the patients. Then, review their medical history. Next, evaluate their conditions. Finally, determine if they qualify for medical marijuana treatment.
- Discuss options and make a treatment plan for patients who qualify
- First, educate patients on medical cannabis use. Then, ensure they understand the potential risks of marijuana. Moreover, emphasize the importance of informed decisions. Finally, provide resources for further clarification.
- First, provide the patient with a copy of the approved medical marijuana certificate. Then, ensure they understand its details and usage. Finally, answer any questions they may have regarding the certificate.
- Depending on the state, submit all evaluations performed by the physician to the Department of Health
Legal Liability
Although cannabis has been legalized for therapeutic purposes in many states in the US, the liability of the physician and law enforcement are still gray areas. To successfully treat patients with medicinal cannabis, a doctor must understand the legal limits of the dosage. Doctors must also gain knowledge of both federal and state rules, regulations, and laws.
Before deciding to prescribe medical marijuana, physicians can consult an attorney regarding the licensure risks, criminal and civil penalties, cannabis investment allowances, other underlying risks, and protections in the new medical marijuana laws.
Benefits of Opting a Career as a Medical Marijuana Doctor
Medicinal cannabis is significant to wellness strategies, and a cannabis-focused doctor can:
- Help improve lives by advocating for cannabis. Additionally, promote effective methods of consumption. This can lead to better health outcomes.
- Educate patients and help them choose a safer option by using cannabis instead of harmful pharmaceuticals
- Reduce the stigma around cannabis
- Getting to be a part of the fastest-growing and most exciting industries is an incredible opportunity. Moreover, it offers countless possibilities for growth and development.
Medical Marijuana: Tracking and Legal Compliance
The Compassionate Use Registry monitors medical marijuana use for legal and research purposes, preventing misuse and tracking participating doctors and patients.”
Physicians who recommend marijuana have access to the Registry and can update patient information. Additionally, organizations dispensing marijuana are state-licensed and use the Registry to confirm doctors’ orders. Law enforcement also has access to the Registry and confirms legal compliance by all the parties involved.
Becoming a Medical Marijuana Doctor: Key Considerations
Becoming a cannabis-focused doctor can be rewarding and exciting in the cannabis industry. Doctors and healthcare professionals can register with the Medical Marijuana Program and get certified after completing an extensive cannabis expertise course to demonstrate their comprehensive understanding of medical marijuana.
Since there is a growing demand for marijuana-focused physicians, aspirants who understand the value of medical marijuana and want to offer it as an alternative treatment should take the initiative to become cannabis doctors.
Physicians should bear in mind that marijuana remains a Schedule I drug, and administering it to the patients’ holds inherent risk.