WITH MARIJUANA, 'MEDICAL' SHOULD BE KEY WORD

As a retired physician relocating to Billings to be with family, I am
concerned over the ease at which people can acquire cannabis under
the guise of medical marijuana. Many people seek out a physician, not
for his expertise in diagnosis and treatment but rather to
specifically obtain a prescription to acquire a marijuana card.
Marijuana is most often sought for the symptomatic relief of
undiagnosed acute and chronic pain or for recreational purposes.
Sadly, there are some physicians who will proffer these prescriptions
without doing a proper medical work up. The term medical marijuana
serves to make the distinction as to whether its use is legal versus
illegal. It should be remembered that the effects of marijuana on the
body are the same regardless of whether it is used medically or recreationally.

Medically, the standard of care dictates that a physician, on
eliciting the patient's primary complaint, takes a detailed medical
history, followed by a physical examination. Appropriate laboratory
studies are performed as indicated. On arriving at a diagnosis, a
treatment plan is formulated consisting of the appropriate modality
to provide relief or cure. These modalities include surgery, physical
therapy, prescription medications and alternative therapy. Marijuana
might be the best choice for a patient, but often other modalities
offer a better solution. Once the appropriate treatment has been
determined, follow-up examinations ensure that the patient's response
to therapy is optimal. If marijuana is used for treatment, its use
should be dictated by ethical medical professionals.

Marshall D. Milton, M.D.

Billings