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| Some Doctors Slow To Recommend Pot |
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Posted by FoM on June 28, 2001 at 07:26:30 PT By Karen Auge, Denver Post Medical Writer Source: Denver Post 
Earl Thomas thinks smoking marijuana might help him regain some of the weight he's lost to AIDS. His doctor thinks it might help, too, Thomas said. And state law says it's OK. But Thomas' doctor won't sign the recommendation Thomas needs to get a state-issued card entitling him to use medical marijuana until his doctor's employer, Kaiser Permanente, gives the go-ahead. "It is a very difficult position as a doctor," said Dr. Miguel Mogyoros. He said he is waiting for word from Kaiser on its policy. Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #3 posted by Thinker on June 29, 2001 at 11:31:04 PT |
| This is very sad to say the least. Unfortunately with HMOs and today's tendency toward lawsuits doctors hands are tied on many levels of patient care. Working as an RN 'I've seen it a number of times up close. I think it is ridiculous that a MD can't determine what the best treatment for his/her patient and then implement it without fear of prosecution. It is also ludicrous that our government officials believe they are the experts on medical issues. What makes them think that they know more than a scientist or a doctor who has a decade or more of education and experience just to begin practicing in the field of medicine. In my opinion having a background in law and politics makes you a lay person when it comes to science and medicine. I don't think lay persons should be making such important decisions about our medical care. My two cents. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #2 posted by Dan B on June 28, 2001 at 18:03:15 PT:
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| Kaiser-Permanente conducted one of the largest studies in America on marijuana and mortality, finding no statistically significant differences between marijuana users and non-users in terms of mortality (plenty of evidence was found, however, for higher mortality in tobacco and alcohol users). So that particular HMO should have no problem letting its doctors sign recommendations for marijuana for patients who need it. Dan B [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by J.R. Bob Dobbs on June 28, 2001 at 09:29:36 PT |
| Not having the card doesn't mean the patient isn't going to smoke marijuana. Not having the card means they can continue to arrest and harass him. The card is simply an exemption from the police. Why do they think someone would need to go to jail for medical reasons? [ Post Comment ] |
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