Mass Medical Society Approves Of DPH Marijuana Regulations

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Friday, March 29, 2013

Steve Balestrieri, GoLocal Worcester, Contributor

Reacting to the release of the Department of Public Health’s proposed regulations on implementing the medical marijuana law in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Medical Society today released the following statement from MMS President Richard Aghababian, M.D.

“The Department of Public Health has done a thoughtful and responsible job with a difficult task in proposing regulations to implement the medical marijuana law. The regulations take into account many of our major concerns, especially those relative to definitions of the physician-patient relationship, qualifying patient, and certifying physician," he said.

"DPH has also narrowed the boundaries of medical conditions and allowed for physician judgment in determining what conditions may qualify for medical marijuana, and has included use of the Prescription Monitoring Program in certifying patients," he added.

Aghababian stated further, "the Medical Society, which still advocates that clinical research needs to be conducted to show the safety and effectiveness of marijuana as medicine, will continue its detailed review of the proposed regulations to provide specific responses and recommendations at the upcoming public hearings.”

Under the regulations, the DPH has defined a “bona-fide physician patient relationship”, and sets a 60 day supply limit up to 10 ounces of medical marijuana, as well as defines requirements for safety, and testing standards.

The entire letter from the DPH can be read here: