Page 45 - SFHNMay2020finalUF.qxp_SFHN 0608 Friday 5.0

AROUND THE REGION
TM

Back Cover Story: DocMJ Turns
Visit us on the web at
to Telemedicine During the
www.cannabisnewsflorida.com
www.cannabisnewsflorida.com
Coronavirus Pandemic

Continued from page 36
of being infected or spreading the coron- symptoms of the coronavirus to not
avirus lightly from the start.” come to their appointment and seek
DOCMJ initially reached out to the treatment at a nearby medical facility. If
Office of Medical Marijuana Use they have a follow up visit scheduled,
(OMMU) and DOH prior to finding out they will reach out to the patients to
they were going to allow telemedicine book a telemedicine visit to minimize
visits but to no avail, according to possible exposure.
Hundley. DocMJ has recently passed over
“We were told it was not on the table,” 100,000 visits. Last year, they also
he says. “As soon as we learned we could expanded to Ohio with five new loca-
keep our staff, physicians and patients at tions while still providing the same qual-
a minimal risk by using telemedicine we ity care, experience and knowledge from
knew we had to get it up and running Florida.
fast.” While there are some really good
Hundley adds that they did not want to physicians with vast knowledge about
put anyone at risk but they are also obli- medical cannabis outside DocMJ,
gated to be available for them since Hundley says he has not met any other
patients were no longer using pharma- group on the scale of DocMJ with the
ceutical drugs to manage their symptoms same ideals and culture.
of the various conditions they have. “At DocMJ, we truly care about the
“We have had much success with the wellbeing of our patient whether or not
telemedicine visits and hope that we can we give a recommendation,” he says. “At
continue to see our patients via telemed- times we see patients who may not qual-
icine until the risk of the coronavirus is ify but still get to speak to a qualified
over,” says Hundley. “However, we do medical professional for free. If someone
not want this to be a permanent change books with us and does not receive a rec-
to how medical cannabis recommenda- ommendation we refund them 100% of
tions are given or renewed, as we love to their money back. This is not a gimmick,
see our patients in person because the we don't give recommendations to every-
staff and physicians at DocMJ really one but we do however give a compas-
enjoy the face to face conversations and sionate consultation to everyone.”
life changing benefits medical cannabis The reason for refunding patients they
has on them.” don't give recommendations to is so that
Fortunately - and unfortunately - new both parties, the patient and the doctor,
patients have to be seen in person still, do not feel any pressure in recommend-
notes Hundley. ing or not.
“The unfortunate part is that there is a According to Hundley, the physicians
risk, with what is going on, to possibly at DocMJ are there because they believe
spread the virus,” he says. “The fortunate that medical cannabis can help manage
part is we have seen so many patients their symptoms for the conditions estab-
and we know some of them have not lished by the State of Florida.
seen a physician in awhile and ignore “I believe the reason why we are the
some clear signs of medical conditions largest group is because of the passion
that need immediate attention.” we have throughout DocMJ to help oth-
Hundley assures that their medical ers.” he says. “Together at DocMJ we
assistants and physicians are able to have more experience in medical
catch these signs, as they have in the cannabis recommendations than any
past, and either send them immediately practice out there, we have been around
to an urgent care/ER or refer them to since the amendment for medical
their primary care physician to address cannabis passed. We are also one of the
the medical condition. most affordable with payment plan
“This is another reason why we do not options for those on a fixed income. I
want telemedicine to stay as it is an inef- like to think we are a good example of
fective way to give the best examination the phrase ‘often imitated but never
possible,” he adds. duplicated.’”
During this pandemic, DocMJ has
been sterilizing all of their equipment For more information, visit docmj.com.
and wearing protective gear. They also
make patients aware if they have any
E-mail your Cannabis news to:

carol@cannabisnewsflorida.com

Cannabis News Florida cannabisnewsflorida.com May 2020 45