Profession

Calif. board addresses medical marijuana

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 21, 2004

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The Medical Board of California recently adopted a statement clarifying that the recommendation of medical marijuana by physicians will not have any effect against their license if they follow good medical practice.

In November 1996, California voters passed Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, to "ensure that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes where the medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician who has determined that the person's health would benefit from the use of marijuana."

In January 1997, the medical board published standards for physicians when recommending medical marijuana. According to the board's new statement, consultation should include: a history and good-faith examination of the patient; development of a treatment plan with objectives; provision of informed consent including discussion of side effects; periodic review of the treatment's efficacy; and proper record keeping that supports the decision to recommend the use of medical marijuana.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/06/21/prbf0621.htm.

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