Massachusetts has come one step closer to a pilot program involving cannabis cafes across the state. This will also bring about more licenses for cannabis delivery and social consumption, as a less capital-intensive option for entrepreneurs to enter the industry. http://bit.ly/2IOjOUz
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Crossing the Line: Care of a Pediatric Patient with Intractable Seizures and Severe Neuropathic Pain in Absence of Access to Medical Marijuana
A recent case report discussing a six-year-old patient suffering from a seizure disorder has exposed the difficulty is receiving treatment across state lines. The patient was prescribed medical marijuana that alleviated the severity and duration of her seizures but was weaned off that medication when traveling to Nebraska for a therapeutic surgery due to the legal status in the state. This case study exposes the difficulty of treating patients across the country due to the legal variability of cannabis across states.
An interesting question brought up in this case study is how to handle palliative care in the absence of opioids and without synthetic products. A combination of massage, essential oils, and salt light therapies were able to compensate for medical marijuana, but not without great effort. Natural therapies like the ones administered here are costly and highlight the simplicity and effectiveness of medicinal cannabis.
Kudos to Kyle Jaeger for a helpful summary of last week’s US House’s vote on an amendment to block the Department of Justice from interfering in states’ legal cannabis programs. His work outlines which representatives stand where, with regard to #cannabis. Interesting to see, and how times change! http://bit.ly/2LgKO0P
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Benjamin Caplan, MDUS House of Representatives votes to support state legal cannabis
In what may be considered preemptive action, Oregon legislature passed Senate Bill 582, allowing the governor to enter agreements with other states for cannabis import and export. This hinges on the federal government, but if so, Oregon aims to be a national supplier of cannabis. https://lat.ms/2LezJ00
Benjamin Caplan, MDOregon aiming to supply Cannabis nationally
Exciting note to Massachusetts medical cannabis patients: Beginning July 1, medical patients will have the opportunity for an “Initial Access Certification” once they have seen their certifying physician. This access is good for 14 days, so patients will no longer have to wait for the state approval process before having access to medication. More info: http://bit.ly/2LmFY1Q
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In October 2018, recreational cannabis became legal in Canada. And in 2019, researchers asked nearly 20 thousand Canadians over the age of 15 about their cannabis habits. The survey found that 1 in 5 Canadians plan on trying or increasing cannabis use following legalization for non-medical purposes, particularly those who are younger, who have used cannabis in the past 3 months, and who have a higher income. To ensure responsible cannabis use and informed decision-making, clinicians and policy-makers should pay close attention to these higher risk populations.
In light of recent changes and discussion in NY and IL cannabis laws, the right to grow at home has been highly debated. Legislation and “big marijuana” are concerned with black market control, lab testing, and lost tax revenue; many of these concerns are blown out of proportion http://bit.ly/2WSbsUK
Benjamin Caplan, MDHome Grows vs Big Marijuana vs Governmental Oversight
The esteemed medical periodical, Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, takes a closer look at modern medical cannabis with Dr Grinspoon and I. Our discussion brings an insider’s look at how the system operates, from clinic to dispensary, the dynamic changes we’ve already seen and highlights some of the changes to come. Included are The Role of Medicine, The Ethics of doctors in business, The Patient Experience, Physician’s Support, Growing the Plant, and a sit-down with a local dispensary.
Months after the decision to legalize cannabis, Canadian lawmakers work to regulate the packaging and advertising of cannabis products. The new guidelines forbid the mixing of alcohol and THC and also ensure that products are not “appealing to a young person.”
Benjamin Caplan, MDGuidelines for Canada’s cannabis edibles tight, but also vague
This week, Colombia’s Constitutional Court overruled a ban on the public consumption of cannabis. Now, citizens wonder if the government will soon legalize recreational cannabis in addition to the already-legal medical cannabis.