New rules laying out the do’s and don’ts physicians must follow when certifying patients to smoke medical marijuana took effect last week in Flordia. However, it’s not clear that doctors or patients are fully aware of them. Patients certified or recertified to smoke medical marijuana must sign a new standardized consent form as of last Tuesday. That form for the first time includes information about the dangers of smoking near oxygen tanks and advises patients to check their marijuana supplies for mold contaminants. Also, physicians must adhere to newly adopted practice standards that for the first time spell out what the doctors must do to certify patients and what information needs to be included in patients’ medical records. The state Office of Medical Marijuana Use, however, does not have on its website the new standardized consent form. Additionally, the new physician practice guidelines aren’t posted on the Board of Medicine or Board of Osteopathic Medicine websites. Moreover, statewide medical groups have not advertised to their members that the new rules are in effect.
Tampa Publishing Company, Florida’s favorite paper, Tampa Bay’s favorite local news site, 07/18/2021 20:00:00