Marijuana

October 19, 2009, the Obama administration is now officially reversing the Federal stance on medical marijuana and thereby ordering authorities not to arrest or charge any users and suppliers that conform to state laws. Justice Department officials are telling prosecutors and Federal Drug Enforcement Agents that they have more important things to do than to arrest people who obey state laws that allow some use or sale of medical marijuana, according to the L.A. Times.

As more and more states accept the use of medical marijuana, and with more research being done on the drug, an increasing number of physicians are adopting marijuana as a safe and effective treatment and/or management of many diseases and conditions.

Last year the American College of Physicians, the nation’s second largest doctors’ organization made up of more than 120,000 physicians, released a proposition endorsing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The proposition also called for more research and scientific studies to be conducted concerning its medical use. Physicians also urged the United States government to back off from their strict policies against legalizing marijuana for medical use.

Former United States Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders released a press statement saying, “This is a historic statement by one of the world’s most respected physician groups, and shows the growing scientific consensus that marijuana is a safe, effective medicine for some patients, including many battling life-threatening illnesses like cancer and AIDS.”

And, in other news regarding medical marijuana, the United States Supreme Court decided in April 2009 not to review a lower court’s decision that upheld the right of a physician to prescribe and/or recommend medical marijuana to patients. Many appeals have been made and even former Presidents Clinton and Bush have tried to threaten the removal of medical licenses to those physicians who recommend marijuana to patients.

The United States Supreme Court upheld an injunction by the Federal Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in the case of Conant vs. Walters, which prohibited the Federal Government from threatening physicians and marijuana doctors to revoke licenses should the physician recommend, or even discuss, medical marijuana use with their patients in states where medicinal marijuana has been legalized.

Nevertheless, the Federal Government continues to threaten physicians who prescribe or recommend marijuana under state law.

Medicinal use of marijuana, as per the recommendation of a licensed physician, has been legalized in thirteen states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. However, only California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Rhode Island allow for the use of dispensaries to sell the drug.

The following medical organizations are just a few that have openly endorsed the medicinal use of marijuana under their physician’s recommendation:

•    American College of Physicians
•    Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
•    American Academy of Family Physicians
•    American Alliance for Medical Cannabis
•    American Public Health Association
•    American Psychiatric Association
•    American Nurses Association
•    British Medical Association
•    Health Canada

While the future of medical marijuana remains unclear, these recent gains may propel the country to gradually accept medicinal uses of marijuana for chronic conditions and perhaps eventually replace the manufactured medications from drug companies that have been shown to cause horrendous side effects.

Physician

According to the U.S. News and World Report, physician assistant is one of the best careers of 2009. You may have already encounter a physician assistant during a visit with your regular physician, but if you don’t already know what a physician assistant is, here is a brief description:

Physicians assistants are very much like doctors, as physician assistants do eighty percent of what doctors do, such as conduct exams, diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and assist in surgery. And, while physician assistants are required to practice under the supervision of a physician, they still have a surprising amount of autonomy to practice medicine.

Physicians assistants work as members of the health care team, take medical histories, examine and treat patients, can order and analyze laboratory tests and x-rays, and even make diagnoses for their patients. Physician assistants also treat minor injuries, by suturing, splinting, and casting. Physicians assistants also record progress notes, instruct patients, and order or carry out necessary therapy. Physician assistants are also able to make house calls or go to hospitals or clinics to check up on patients. Many physician assistants are required to be on call during off hours.

In order to become a certified physicians assistant, a four-year undergraduate degree and two to three years of post-bachelor’s is required. All jurisdictions require physician assistants to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination, administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, which is open only to graduates of accredited PA programs.

Furthermore, physician assistants must complete one-hundred hours of continuing education every two years to retain their certification. Physician assistants must also pass a recertification exam every six years.

There is also the opportunity for physicians assistants to specialize in a particular field, such as surgery, neurology, neonatal care, etc. Specialization of course requires additional education.

And, while physician assistants don’t bring home the same salary as regular physicians, P.A.’s still average $70,000 – $100,00+ a year. Not too shabby.

Many practicing physician assistants say that the benefits of this job are substantial.  Many, if not most, physicians assistants say they enjoy the fact that they have a better relationship with their patients because they are able to spend more time with them, instead of being rushed through appointments. Physician assistants also have the advantage of having a supervisor above them. This is advantageous because they are able to consult their supervisor for whatever reason and the supervisor is ultimately responsible for patients, not the physician assistant.

However, being a physician assistant does have its disadvantages.  For example, they may find it difficult to obtain the trust of a patient who does not know their qualifications or obtain the respect of nurses and doctors, who may not see them in a position of authority.

Mary Shelldon, a physician assistant from Florida says, “I’ve been a PA for about two years now. I absolutely love what I do and all the benefits that come with being a practitioner. However, if I had to do it again, I would definitely have gone to med school to be an MD. As I gain more experience as a PA, I become much more comfortable treating patients and I hardly ever need to consult my supervising physician anymore regarding patent’s treatment plans. Even though I feel eventually I’ll be comparably skilled to my supervising physician, I’ll never have the same level of authority. If I am in practice for 10 years and have a great grasp on my particular field, a brand new M.D. may come out of med school or internship and automatically will have more authority than me though they may know much less. Patients are generally accepting of PAs, and it doesn’t usually cause a problem, but occasionally they say they’d like to make sure the physician agrees with my diagnosis and treatment plan – frustrating.”