What it takes to become a medical marijuana doctor

Criteria Required For A Medical Marijuana Doctor

The first thing you must think of as a medical marijuana doctor in any state is to meet all the licensing requirements of the state you wish to practise in. This might vary from state to state but it is similar across the board. In addition to the aforementioned, a medical marijuana doctor must meet the following qualifications:

must be certified as a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathic medicine by the board;

must have a state licence in the state of practice;

must be recognized to submit certifications online;

must possess basic computer skills;

must have been given unrestricted drug enforcement administration verification to qualify as a supervising physician.

Generally, there is not much difference in these requirements from state to state. Though these doctors are not expected to acquire a special degree to be able to administer medical marijuana, they must possess the key knowledge to provide accurate treatment. Also, these doctors must understand the biological, clinical, and legal implications of using medical marijuana.

What Academic Qualifications Does A Medical Marijuana Doctor Require?

Being a marijuana doctor is subject to your willingness and qualification to recommend medical marijuana.

Before a doctor can recommend medical marijuana, he must have vast research-based knowledge of the proven use and also know the contradictions and side effects of its use. Doctors advocating for medical marijuana treatment have several sources they can use to educate themselves. Yet, there is a professional set standard that every member must adhere to, just like in every other medical treatment.

There are federal restrictions for research along this line. Here are some of the recommendations given to doctors who prescribe medical marijuana. They include:

watch patients under smoking marijuana treatment for pulmonary functions and immune status;

follow state-given initiatives to track sources of marijuana and patients who use them for therapeutic reasons;

know the patient’s history of the use of marijuana and other drugs;

Educate the patient on the long-term and short-term implications of medical marijuana treatment;

get certification for addiction medicine;

carry out reviews on recommendations for use and dosage;

confirm that alternative treatment methods were tried and failed;

ensure the marijuana has standard THC levels and is without contaminants.

Beyond being certified, the willingness to see your patients get better drives the career of a marijuana doctor. Strict adherence to standards set by professional bodies regulating your practice is also very important. This is to ensure that the welfare of your patient is prioritised.