MI Man Calls for MJ Friendly Doctor Transparency
Many Michigan marijuana users have run into difficulties with their doctors, despite legalization. Patients are being told they can no longer be prescribed necessary medications if they are testing positive for THC, or in other ways being hindered from care they have come to rely on. One St. John’s man is speaking out, bringing to light the issue, and advocating for a simple solution.Doug Barnes, a 62 year old GM retiree, brought his grievance to the Lansing Pulse and journalist Kyle Kaminski took the case. In an article posted online February 13th, 2020 (www.lansingcitypulse.com/stories/need-pills-for-pain-some-doctors-say-lay-off-the-weed,13845) Kaminski explains that Barnes, a lifelong sufferer of painful gastrointestinal bleeding, had been told by his doctor that he was being cut off of all medications until he could pass a drug test for THC. Barnes, who eats an infused gummy to help with discomfort, told the Lansing Pulse “I couldn’t get anything for pain, stress, sleep or anything. I was flabbergasted because it’s really been helping me. Plus, it’s legal in Michigan. It’s really like the new wine here in Lansing, but my doctor apparently just doesn’t see it that way.”
The issue is not uncommon, as the article goes on to quote Rick Thompson, owner of the Michigan Cannabis Business Development Group, “Physicians often make you choose between their medications or cannabis.” Prescription policies vary from doctor to doctor, and from hospital to hospital. With licensing handed down federally it becomes a game of risk and reward that each practitioner must weigh.
Dr. Andrew Messenger has weighed and judged. The owner of Clinton County Medical Center and a doctor at Sparrow Clinton Hospital told Kaminsky bluntly “We won’t do it. The combination has never been tested.” Messenger also cited a physicians oath to do no harm, “If MI don’t know what a medication or the combination of medications is going to do, how can I do that?” Messenger at first only agreed to be interviewed if Kaminsky agreed to be tested for marijuana use, stating the need to verify the integrity of the journalist. When Kaminsky declined, Messenger was still willing to be quoted.
Barnes then contacted the Michigan Marijuana Report to alert us of his story, and tell us more about his idea to help patients navigate the current healthcare environment with a simple bit of transparency. In our conversation he first touched on the topic of do no harm, highlighting a bit of hypocrisy on the part of his physician. As a test, he had asked for a prescription for Viagra, an erection medication that could potentially kill him, given his condition. The Viagra was prescribed with no objections from his doctor. Barnes is not buying the notion that a ‘do not harm’ oath prevented his doctor from filling his medications. He has since been asked to leave as a patient.
In response, Barnes is advocating for legislation that would require doctors be placed on a list, revealing to all whether or not they are marijuana friendly. This simple change would make the task of finding a lasting doctor patient relationship, primarily for cannabis patients, much easier. As Barnes points out, “Just finding a new doctor can be costly,” as it generally requires driving to appointments and being charged for the visit, only to find out that you must keep looking. It would also save anyone in this state from being blind sided by anti-weed doctors and denied medications, giving them the power to know up front and make the change in care providers on their terms.
At current the best method is to be honest and ask your doctor up front, while being prepared for the possibility of having to make a change.
Caregivers Limited to Supplying Flower
The planned phase out of caregivers supplying the retail marijuana industry begins on March 1st. After this date only flower will be allowed for transfer from caregivers to licensed provisioning centers and processors, a change that has been known about for months.
Despite the forewarning, the move comes with mixed emotions. The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) reported that in January 2020 38.2% of the 2,968 pounds of bud sold in licensed medical facilities came from licensed growers. Which means 61.8% of the cannabis flower sales in provisioning centers still come from caregivers. Not to mention the amount of caregiver bud currently being processed.
“It means the (expletive) prices are going to go through the roof again,” Stuart Carter, owner of Utopia Gardens in Detroit told MLive in a February article. “Some of the processors are complaining because they are going to have a hard time getting oil.” Utopia Gardens purchasing manager Matt Ruhle in the same article explained, “This industry is ran by majority caregiver extracts, especially caregiver distillate.”
The fact that flower is required for every single marijuana product from edibles to concentrates, as well as maintains high demand itself, places a heavy burden on supply. Regardless, the MRA plans to completely phase caregivers out of the regulated retail market by September 2020. Director Andrew Brisbo stated, “We have always put patients first when we make decisions regarding medical marijuana. This phase out process is an important step in implementing the will of Michigan voters and making sure that patients continue to have access to their medicine.”
MRA Holds Public Meeting to Receive Complaints
The Marijuana Regulatory Agency will be holding a public meeting on March 26th. Quoting the MRA announcment, “The purpose of this public meeting is to hear complaints and receive the views of the public on MRA’s administration of the authorities, powers, duties, functions and responsiblities under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, 2008 IL 1, Michigan Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act, 2016 PA 281, Marihuana Tracking Act, 2016 PA 282, and Michigan Regulation and Taxation Act, 2018 IL 1.”
The public may comment at the hearing, or in writing. Written compaints should be mailed to the Michigan Regulatory Agency, Legal Section, P.O. Box 30205, Lansing, MI 48909, or emailed to MRA-Legal@michigan.gov. Hoyt Public Library, 505 Janes Ave, Saginaw, MI, will be hosting the live meeting at 9:30 am Thursday, March 26th.
