Marijuana-Specific Doctors Can Make It Difficult To Take Medical Marijuana Seriously

In Massachusetts, doctors who approve patients for medical marijuana treatments must have specific licenses that permit them to do so. While there are an abundance of doctors and clinics carrying such licenses, very few general practitioners do. This disconnect has created a problem for healthcare providers and marijuana supporters who say the system is giving medical marijuana a bad name.

Pot Clinics

The fact that most people's regular doctor can't prescribe pot has led many to visit clinics whose focus is on marijuana treatments. At such clinics, patients visit only once to get their certification, something doctors say is worrying.

While marijuana may in fact be a valid treatment for certain ailments, the idea of a practice being set up specifically to prescribe one treatment is a concern. Not only will the doctors at such clinics have no prior relationship with the patient, but they won't provide alternative treatment options as the patient is there for one reason only.

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Doctors' Dilemma

Many doctors believe that marijuana could be a good way for some of their patients to deal with issues like chronic pain or seizure, but they are reluctant to get a license or recommend such treatments because the drug isn't legal at a federal level.

The disconnect between state and federal laws regarding marijuana has slowed down research about the drug's effects, and doctors are worried about the risks they'd be exposed to if they prescribe marijuana. Lawsuits over whether or not the treatment was a wise choice could put doctors' medical certification in jeopardy, especially with how little is known about marijuana-related side effects.