Disagreement on Florida Agreement

From Anne Morgan, MD, who practices Family Medicine in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (The consent form was included in rules governing the approval of cannabis use issued by the state medical board earlier this month.)

Attached is the “Medical Marijuana Consent Form” that Florida physicians are supposed to have patients sign.

It is wrong and unconscionable to make me have my patients sign something I am not in agreement with. I am supposed to “explain the information.”

I already have my own consent-to-treat form in place.

The list of side effects is inaccurate, especially suppression of the immune system.

I know that use of the anti-fungals should be monitored in patients utilizing medical cannabis, but I personally am unaware of any drug interaction fatalities as they indicate.

It states that the patient is supposed to contact me if they experience any of the side effects, including euphoria, talk or eat in excess? Really? Wouldn’t that be interesting? Imagine the dialogue…..

The stated symptoms of overdose are hacking cough, nausea and vomiting. (If they are thinking of hyperemesis syndrome, that is not an overdose, it is from long term usage in a specific population.)

They claim that “marijuana…may cause abnormalities in babies.” Not to my knowledge.

I could go on and on about how crazy this is, but it DOES affect me and how I practice Cannabis Medicine here in Florida.

I wonder about the legality if I refuse to have the patients sign this… I understand it is a misdemeanor if I do not.

They are also requiring me to obtain the patient’s SSN to enter into the State Registry for Compassionate Care so the patient can obtain medical Cannabis.

(I then destroy the SSN from my records.)

I suspect that the consent form to obtain an abortion is easier, except the videos. Maybe they want me to show “Reefer Madness” in my reception area?

Let’s see what others have to say about this 7 page document! I welcome any commentary, especially from long-standing practitioners, academics and the legal side.