With so many states approving medical cannabis – we are up to 39 at this point – patients are starting to come up with some interesting questions. One I heard recently is whether there are any doctors specializing in medical cannabis therapies. My answer to that would be both ‘yes’ and ‘no’.
Officially, the answer would be ‘no’. There is no specific medical cannabis specialty in the same vein as things like cardiology and oncology. At least right now, future doctors do not complete medical school and then go on to pursue further education for a medical cannabis specialty.
All of that said, there are plenty of doctors who have taken it upon themselves to learn everything they can about the human endocannabinoid system and how it responds to cannabis. They have become specialists by virtue of their own research and education.
Contrary to the Specialty Idea
I suspect there will never be a medical specialty aimed at medical cannabis therapies. Medical specialties tend to focus either on biological bodily systems or particular diseases. For example, a cardiologist specializes in the cardiovascular system. An oncologist specializes in cancer. Both types of specialists rely on a whole host of treatments to care for patients.
Since medical cannabis therapies are treatments, it is not likely they would become a specialty unto themselves. But again, there are medical providers who specialize in using cannabis as a treatment.
One could make the case that specializing in medical cannabis is a good idea. There is so much we don’t know about it that creating a whole new specialty could do a lot to advance cannabis treatments. On the other hand, there is also an inherent danger to a medical cannabis specialty.
The Potential for Card Mills
That danger is a potential for medical cannabis card mills. A card mill is a medical clinic that exists for no reason other than helping patients obtain medical cannabis cards. The clinic makes it money by getting patience to come in from medical exams and recommendations.
The problem with card mills is that the doctors they employ are less concerned about the appropriateness of medical cannabis and more concerned about getting paying customers through the doors. It is an issue serious enough to encourage Utah lawmakers to include licensing requirements in their legislation.
Utahmarijuana.org says that qualified medical providers (QMPs) must undergo continuing education before they can get their state licenses. Once licensed, a QMP can recommend medical cannabis to more than 1,000 patients. On the other hand, a Limited Medical Provider (LMP) is not held to the same continuing education requirement. But LMPs are also restricted to just 15 patients.
Utah QMPs are subject to regular audits. State regulators take a close look at clinic records to ensure that QMPs are not operating card mills.
A Broader Body of Knowledge Is Good
I am guessing we will never see a medical cannabis specialty in this country. However, I certainly believe that medical schools will eventually start teaching students more about the endocannabinoid system and how it reacts to cannabis. A broader knowledge of all things cannabis would certainly be good for doctors. More knowledge would help them make better decisions about cannabis treatments.
In the meantime, there are those doctors that have taken it upon themselves to learn as much as they can about medical cannabis and its associated treatments. That is the kind of doctor to seek out if you are planning to get a medical cannabis card. A fully knowledgeable doctor is the most qualified to offer you sound advice about cannabis therapies.