Page 57 - SFHNMarch20finaUNFLIPPED.qxp_SFHN 0608 Friday 5.0

AROUND THE REGION
TM

Back Cover Story: Hospital Prohibition of Cannabis

Continued from page 47 Cannabis (OMC) was directed by a 2014 cal trials with marijuana, likely on termi- at most facilities, albeit with too many
“Experimental treatments for terminal state law to list all clinical trials utilizing nal patients (“Right To Try”). Once a regulations and unnecessary hurdles
conditions”) allows an “eligible” (termi- cannabis. First was a clinical trial of study is underway, then the facilities at (because, Florida).
nal) patient, who has considered all cannabidiol (CBD) which led to the first which the studies are conducted will Let’s look forward to movement on the
existing approved options, who provides cannabis-derived, DEA/FDA approved allow patients to bring and use their federal level (such as re-scheduling
informed consent “for the use of an medicine, Epediolex. It is now a pre- cannabis. This will likely lead other hos- cannabis to a sane level) and the state
investigational drug, biological product, scription drug available for medication- pitals to use the same formula to allow level (allowing more research and,
or device” and provides consent to allow resistant seizures. Mayo believes that as their most ill patients to bring and use expressly, human trials in all cannabis
terminal patients to try any long as cannabis is a part of a Minnesota- their cannabis. Once hospitals allow cer- patients). However, in the interim, no
“Investigational drug, biological product, state listed trial, then its patients should tain patients to carry and consume their Florida hospitals or other medical facili-
or device”, which has withstood Phase I be able to bring their cannabis to a cannabis in facilities, then the legislature ties allow for known, possession, storage
testing. Surely that is imminent in Minnesota Mayo facility and use it. will likely make exceptions to allow or consumption on campus. The Mayo
Florida, on this basis. What I see as possible and a likely next more hospitals to allow patients to carry Clinic leads, but only at its Minnesota
Secondly, there is the Mayo Clinic step is application (in Florida) of and consume what, for them, is a consti- facilities. We’re a long way off from any
model. Mayo Clinic operates campuses §381.986(14), titled “Exceptions To tutionally protected medicine, cannabis. sanity in this arena. Let’s hope that solid
in Arizona and Minnesota, as well as Other Laws”, which under subsection Florida, with its elderly population medical data begins to emerge so that the
Florida. Mayo’s campuses in Arizona and (h) states that “a research institute estab- and quickly-growing medical program, is mainstream begins to accept what we all
Florida, “do not dispense medical mari- lished by a public postsecondary educa- an ideal candidate to allow human trials. consider as fact: medical cannabis
juana and do not allow its use on campus tional institution, such as the H. Lee And, the law allows for state schools and improves health and saves lives for cer-
or in the hospital.” However, at the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research other research facilities to do so, without tain patients. With trials in hand, doctors
Minnesota campus, “Minnesota residents Institute, Inc. … or a state university that criminal liability. Once these trials take and hospitals will force reform in the law
with a supply of medical cannabis from has achieved the preeminent state place, and those facilities allow their at both the federal and state levels.
the Minnesota Medical Cannabis pro- research university designation … may patients to carry and consume at those
gram may continue use during their possess, test … marijuana for research facilities, then there will be hospitals and Michael Liss, Esq. can be reached at
Mayo Clinic visit or hospital admission.” purposes as provided by this section.” I doctors lobbying for permission, as well, ml@integritycounselpa.com or
Why is this? predict that UF, its medical school and and the legislature will likely allow for (561) 981-2507, located in Boca Raton.
Minnesota’s Office of Medical related hospital will soon conduct clini- cannabis patients to carry and consume

2020 Spring Congress
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Cannabis News Florida cannabisnewsflorida.com March 2020 57