The author of a law allowing telemedicine appointments for new medical marijuana patients says the state board that governs doctors cannot stop doctors from prescribing medical marijuana to new patients. Representative Joe Marino is the author of the law.
“Part of that law said that nothing shall be construed to not allow telemedicine, basically, that we are trying to make it as clear as we can that telemedicine is allowed for this program,” Marino said.
The Board of Medical Examiners recently refused to change its policy about telemedicine and new medical marijuana patients. Marino says he is seeking an attorney general’s opinion today.
“Because I believe that the attorney general’s office is going to be in agreement with me that telemedicine is okay, you don’t need an in person visit,” Marino said.
Marino said the board’s decision has a chilling effect on doctors who won’t risk their medical licenses if the rules are unclear. He said the confused situation hurts rural patients the most because they rely on telemedicine.
“If you’re in a rural area not only do you have a limited number of doctors but you have to have doctors who are willing to do a recommendation for medical marijuana and that’s an even smaller group,” Marino said.
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