New laws!

[Ihop]

I read in the paper Saturday, that the rules have changed in Wa. state as to who can authorize MMJ for a patient. I'm not entirely sure when it will take effect but now Physicians assistants and Registered Nurse Practitioners can make you legal. That should help loosen things up around here.

Peace.

 

[properdoodles]

I read that it should be in effect 90 days after Gregoire signs it. Expect to see it in action in roughly July. (as far as i can tell from what I read.)

 

[MedicalNeed]

Gregoire Expected To Sign Bill

OLYMPIA — Gov. Christine Gregoire is expected to sign
a bill that will give more health care professionals the authority to recommend medical marijuana to qualified users in the state.

Senate Bill 5798 allows naturopathic doctors, advanced physician assistants and nurse practitioners the power to OK a course of cannabis. It was driven by the idea that patients in rural areas — mainly those who live outside Seattle — don’t have access to clinics where doctors can give the OK to get cannabis, its proponents say.

“Medical marijuana is effective, safe and natural,” said Steve Elliott, a Kingston man who has a doctor’s recommendation for the drug. “Access to this legal medicine should not be limited only to those with access to, and the ability to afford, a physician.”

Currently, those suffering from cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, Crohn’s disease, hepatitis C and other “terminal or debilitating medical conditions” can receive medical marijuana authorization from doctors, despite an overarching federal ban on the substance.

The Senate ultimately approved the measure 37-13 with support from local senators Phil Rockefeller, D-Bainbridge Island, and Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor.

Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, voted against it.

Sheldon sees the new law as a way to access marijuana, even if you’re not sick, and believes it opens the gates to get the drug too wide.

“Should we have podiatrists recommending marijuana?” he wondered. “What’s next?”

The bill passed the House on Wednesday 58-39 with support from local representatives Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo, Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island, Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, and Fred Finn, D-Olympia.

Rep. Jan Angel, R-Port Orchard voted against it.

Brian Wicks, a physician and president of The Doctor’s Clinic, said he personally doesn’t believe the expansion is a good idea, though he’s generally for decriminalization and legalization of pot.

“Doing this is making a cumbersome system more cumbersome,” he said. “Let’s just be upfront, and push for decriminalization.”

Following voter approval of Initiative 692 in 1998, medical marijuana became legal in Washington, one of the first states to do so. It has since expanded to 14 states.

Washington law once stated patients could have up to a 60-day supply, but left an exact quantity undefined. The Department of Health has since set limits to be 24 ounces of pot and 15 marijuana plants.

Kingston user Elliott, who suffers from hepatitis C, couldn’t get a referral for medical marijuana from his doctor in Kitsap three years ago. He took his medical records to Seattle, paid $200 and was able to get a recommendation. He said he’ll be watching to see if local health practitioners approved under the new law start to recommend it.

The governor is going to review the new legislation but is expected to sign it, said governor’s office spokesman Viet Shelton.

The law also includes a provision that marijuana recommendations be given on tamper-resistant paper.

Read more: Gregoire Expected to Sign Bill Allowing More to Authorize Medical Marijuana Kitsap Sun