CO Health Dept calls for changes to doctor-patient rules

[palerider7777]

Am I correct in assuming that the only direct effect this will have on patients is that the MMJ license will cost a bit more and require more checkups, visits, etc.?

So, gone are the days of the walk-in/walk-out medical rec... but I'm sure places will remain like that clinic in Boulder - Grassroots I believe - where you have to visit 2-3 times before your rec. Those kind of places can adapt to the regs I would imagine.

yea but it's bs why should i need to go to a doc 10 times a year? my ddd, nerve dmg,3 buldged and protruding discs,peripheral neuropathy,severe headaches and so on is'nt going anywhere.it's not like im gunna wake up 1 day and it all be cured.things like this is with you for life.so why, whats the need for me to have to go to a doc and spend atleast a 100$ per visit just for them to say yup your still fucked up see ya next month so we can rob another 100 outta ya.i could see it for those that went in with no records claiming they get aches and pains here and there.it's just another way to control and rape money from us.

[lampost]

yea but it's bs why should i need to go to a doc 10 times a year? my ddd, nerve dmg,3 buldged and protruding discs,peripheral neuropathy,severe headaches and so on is'nt going anywhere.it's not like im gunna wake up 1 day and it all be cured.things like this is with you for life.so why, whats the need for me to have to go to a doc and spend atleast a 100$ per visit just for them to say yup your still fucked up see ya next month so we can rob another 100 outta ya.i could see it for those that went in with no records claiming they get aches and pains here and there.it's just another way to control and rape money from us.

I agree man, it is bullshit, but it could've been worse...

Sucks for the terminal patients and those in severe pain who will have to go through extra bullshit and pain just to get access. Not to mention all the additional money it'll cost.

And it won't weed out the seriuos rec users either, they'll just have to pay more.

[Nosmo33]

I'm afraid you're missing some significant points here. This Bill is written in such a way that it gives the power to the Dept. of Health to refer a Physician to the Colorado Medical Board for review based on certain criteria, i.e., # of recommendations written, age of patients written to, etc. This is the financial impact study written for the Bill which clearly indicates funds will be set aside for training (how to spot trends of "abuse") and setting aside funds for Lawyers to go after Doctors who write recommendations.

http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/cli...e=SB109_00.pdf

A Dr. could be looking at a cost of $75,000+ to defend themselves to the Board and risk sanctions that could be devastating to a career, even if the only sanction is that they are no longer allowed to write recommendations, the damage will be done.
The point is, there is a reason so few Dr's do this and now that # will be even fewer. I highly doubt the patients who have received recommendations this year will have any Dr. available to them for renewals, and that may well include truly ill people who rely on this medication.

[copobo]

one physician recommendation is all anyone needs to be good for life. The health Dept. cards are not required to be protected from prosecution.