Washington continues to struggle with growing pains as it applies its medical marijuana laws to the people who need it. As it stands now, patients can obtain an authorization from a physician to legally use marijuana for a specific list of approved illnesses. Local News | Washington struggles with use of medical marijuana | Seattle Times Newspaper
The medical conditions that merit medical marijuana are very limited, and leave many ill patients without recourse. In California for instance, under Proposition 215 cannabis can be prescribed to treat any medical condition where marijuana will provide relief. Thus far, this amounts to well over 200 illnesses that qualify for medical marijuana use. Patient’s Guide | California NORML. In Washington however, the list of illnesses that qualify for medical marijuana are very narrow, and include approximately 10 specific ailments. These ailments are deemed appropriate for marijuana use because they are considered “terminal and debilitating” conditions.
Patients that use medical marijuana in Washington contend that is it difficult to obtain, and at times can even put them in uncomfortable circumstances.
In Washington, the state Medical Quality Assurance Commission is in charge of adding conditions to list of medically appropriate uses for marijuana. The agency works in conjunction with the state’s Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. Thus far, only four new conditions have been added since 1999.
In order to broaden the list of qualifying illnesses, a patient needs to petition the commission to have a particular illness added. Each board schedules a hearing where they review public testimony, expert testimony and review scientific data.
The glitch in the system appears to be due to an unhealthy mix of politics and science. Don Moyer who is a spokesman for the Department of Health says that the board members feel a “lack expertise to evaluate claims of efficacy, and because they are making recommendations on a drug that is still illegal in America.” Board members agree that the distinct lack of scientific data regarding medical marijuana use has been a definite obstacle.
It appears that people hoping to expand the list of qualifying illnesses in Washington are in for a long battle ahead.