Getting proper healthcare to patients who are in isolated areas, too unwell to leave the house, or just too busy to see a doctor in person has always been a challenge. With ever-rising medical expenses, many states are turning to a solution called telehealth (or telemedicine) to provide easier access, and sometimes a more cost-efficient option, to these patient groups. Modern technology allows these patients to “visit” a doctor through online teleconferencing software, text or email, all without having to leave their home or office. This emerging healthcare trend is creating buzz in the medical cannabis community as well—where patients in some areas can now get a doctor’s recommendation and medical cannabis patient card all without ever leaving their home.
According to the American Telemedicine Association, the formal definition of telemedicine is “the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status. Telemedicine includes a growing variety of applications and services using two-way video, email, smart phones, wireless tools and other forms of telecommunications technology”.
With marijuana still classified at the federal level as a schedule 1 drug, pairing it with
telemedicine comes with some significant challenges for healthcare providers, as well as caveats for the consumer. Doctors need to meet the clinical and legal guidelines for the individual states where medical cannabis is currently legal, as well as ensuring that they are meeting the state medical board requirements and guidelines on how (or if they are allowed) to offer these services electronically.
While 23 states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing cannabis in some form, the legalities of access to telehealth providers vary from state-to-state. For example, in August of this year, the Colorado Medical Board published their guidelines for the appropriate use of telehealth technologies, and they strictly prohibit the recommendation of medical marijuana via telehealth technologies. The same goes for Washington State which only allows doctors to give medical marijuana recommendations if they conduct an in-person exam.
California allows counties and cities to decide independently whether or not to allow medical marijuana establishments, so patients in some areas—particularly in the conservative Central Valley region—have a hard time getting access to medical marijuana doctors. Via emerging telehealth companies beginning to offer services in California, they could provide these patients the much-needed access to a confidential consultation with a doctor without having to venture outside of their geographic region, or to areas that may not feel safe in. But in the near future, telehealth cannabis recommendations could also be prohibited in California which is noted in SB 643, Section 4, 2242.1 (a).
To find out if telehealth cannabis recommendations are legal in your state, you may have to do some research. United Patients Group has a rundown of state-by-state laws, although several states don’t consistently mention whether doctor recommendations must be in person or not. You can also find out by contacting your state’s medical cannabis program (if your state maintains a program such as this, it will be listed on our site) or a local cannabis doctor.
With everything from taxis to pet food delivery are now available on-demand, the door has swung wide open, and investors are rushing in to cash in on the possibly giant financial opportunity that online medical marijuana assessments – coupled with door-to-door cannabis delivery services – presents. While there are several start-up companies that are already in operation and providing telehealth services to medical cannabis patients, common sense should prevail before opting to engage in an online medical assessment. As with in-person examinations, patients should exercise caution when selecting a telehealth cannabis physician or service.
If you feel you need a bit more peace of mind before embarking on a telemedical option, set up a consultation with United Patients Group. Our trained staff will help you to intelligently assess if a telehealth provider is the right fit for you.
Disclaimer: This blog is not an endorsement by United Patients Group, but a simple presentation of current information.
I believe I may have melanoma on my ears. I have been putting CBD extract on them the last few days and the bleeding has stopped. I would like to know your take on this problem I have.
Roger,
Many have added cannabis oil to their treatment plan for melanoma. We are not physicians here at UPG but if you would like a medical opinion, please feel free to book a consutlation with our oncology nurse. You can finde her schedule on our home page under the consultation tab.
It is also very important to see your dermatologist to get a conlusive answer. Melanoma is something that your physician can diagnose in order to make plans for treatment with you.
Best,
Sonya
Are there any treatment centers in the U.S. that will give injections of cannabis oil to shrink breastfeeding cancer tumors?
Lori,
We have not yet heard of any physician offering ths method of treatment. If you would like to discuss further, please feel free to call our offices at 415-524-8099.
Best,
Sonya