Page 44 - SFHN March 2021

AROUND THE REGION
TM

Back Cover Story: One Plant's Dr. Matt Discusses

the Importance of Medical Directors for MMTCs

Continued from page 40 “The Office of Medical Marijuana (OMMU) left medical marijuana treatment cen-
ters to designate the roles and duties of a Medical Director on their own,” he explains.
the company and Dr. Matt explains that they have been talking about the health ben-
efits of cannabis for many years, even before it was legal in the state of Florida. “Our duties revolve around the thought that we must maintain growing quality med-
“Cannabis really interested me because we had many patients coming in with dead- icine for patients. We oversee the whole grow process to make sure only high quality
ly overdoses from prescribed pain and anxiety medications.” says Dr. Matt, who is medicines make it into patients hands. All of One Plant’s medicines are third party
also one of the lead ER physicians at a level one trauma center in South Florida. “I tested and generate certificates of analysis (COA). This COA documents that there are
started looking at cannabis as a potential treatment for pain and anxiety control here no molds, no pesticides, heavy metals, and describe which cannabinoids and terpenes
in Florida, even before it was legal.” are in the medicine.”
This led to him writing a book called Dr. Matt's Plan: Living Longer and Healthier. In Dr. Matt is currently conducting a questionnaire study with cannabis patients in
that book, he added a chapter about cannabis and how it could potentially help peo- Florida. This study further demonstrates the need for more natural therapies such as
ple with many symptoms, including preventing overdoses from opiates and benzo’s. cannabis for many conditions.
“That's what we were dealing with at that point of time," he says. “We witnessed “We’re trying to pinpoint what patients are looking for,” he says. “From my data so
tragic and deadly overdoses on a daily basis from medications that were prescribed by far, we’re learning that 85% of the patients who are taking cannabis are doing it
physicians. I thought maybe one day the State of Florida would make cannabis legal instead of opiates for pain control. In addition, over 90% of patients are using
to try to get away from all these overdoses happening.” cannabis instead of benzodiazepines or sleeping aids for sleep and for anxiety. People
Once One Plant launched, Cobb asked Dr. Matt to join as the Medical Director, are leaning away from these pharmaceuticals and toward cannabis, which is safer for
because of his knowledge of the industry. patients.”
“I decided to stay away from the recommending side of it. I was more interested in Finally, Dr. Matt says that he’s excited that the health industry is finally opening up
the administrative duties and the back end of developing quality medicine for Florida to a natural medicine that exists in nature.
patients,” adds Dr. Matt. “I enjoy the administrative duties that came along with this “It's throughout the world,” he says. “Seven years after writing about it in my book,
position which also allows me to interact with recommending physicians and their cannabis is becoming more publicly available. We now have other modalities for treat-
patients. It’s amazing interacting with like-minded physicians and helping patients ing certain diseases, especially pain and anxiety. I think it's exciting to be in the State
with quality medications grown by One Plant.” of Florida right now when these doors are opening up.”
Dr. Matt stresses that every MMTC in the state of Florida is required to have a
Medical Director. For more information, visit www.oneplant.us.

44 March 2021 cannabisnewsflorida.com Cannabis News Florida