Page 8 - CannabisNewsFloridaJune 2019

Back Cover Story: Seasonal Residents Don’t Find Reciprocity

in Florida’s Medical Cannabis Program

Continued from back page. While Dr. Gordon had no intention of becoming such an outspoken proponent of
medical cannabis use, he wants other doctors to feel confident to interpret the way
year), it is not always easy to get one.
“It depends on the attitude and interpretation of the law by physicians; I’m person- the law is written to benefit their patients.
ally comfortable admitting a person into the Florida program if their card is from “This is the battleground I’ve chosen—to push for access and education for
other state—I mean, how couldn’t you?” said Dr. Gordon. “As an advocate and doctor, patients,” he said. “When a person comes in with anxiety, there’s no reason why they
my role is to educate these patients on the safe and effective use of cannabis; to not shouldn’t be able to use a safe, plant-based product to help, especially if they already
serve them isn’t right or moral, and in my opinion, violates the Hippocratic Oath.” have a card from another state. Why wouldn’t they be able to immediately qualify or
Dr. Gordon is especially concerned that patients who are turned away from Florida’s to walk into a dispensary?”
program have no recourse when it comes to getting the care they need. “They can’t Approximately one-third of Compassionate Cannabis Clinic’s patients have never
cross state lines with the product, and even if they could, many of them who may be used cannabis before in any form; one-third have used it in the past, usually recre-
here for six months or more don’t have the money to pay for that much medication ationally, but are not currently using it; and one-third are current users. According to
at once,” he said. Dr. Gordon, they all have questions and concerns.
Another concern is that patients may try to substitute alcohol or other drugs to deal “Don’t discriminate, educate,” said Dr. Gordon. “All three groups deserve respect,
with conditions ranging from PTSD to chronic pain. “The products themselves aren’t whether they’re concerned about introducing THC into their lives or are curious
on the streets; people can’t get lab-tested strains with higher CBD to lower THC about CBD or other cannabinoids. None of this is about getting high; it’s about finding
counts that can be delivered topically or through a tincture; these don’t exist on the the right medicine to meet the 11 qualifying conditions.
black market,” he explained, adding that turning to other options is even more dan- “To make these patients criminals is a tragedy,” he continued, adding that he sees a
gerous. lot of older veterans who have used cannabis for years to treat chronic pain and are
“As a 32-year emergency room doctor, I’ve seen the social consequences of abusing coming into the clinic to make it legal. “Doctors need to do the right thing.”
opiates and alcohol,” he said. “And cannabis is at the bottom of the list in terms of
any long-term damage to the heart, liver or brain; it can’t kill you the way that these To learn more, visit www.Venicecare.com or follow
other substances can.” CompassionateCannabisClinicofVenice on Facebook.

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