HarryZ wrote:I've heard from neurologists in Canada that there's also an issue of "liability" with being known to prescribe MJ or cannabis-based medicines (like Sativex). There's some practice insurance problems but I'm not clear on the details. The other aspect of liability is things like prescribing it to too many ppl makes it more likely that someone will not follow their "advice" on how to take it, and something bad happens (one example: told not to drive after taking med even if they feel like they can, but then someone drives and gets into an accident or gets pulled over). These things can be a problem with a lot of other meds too, which some docs are also hesitant to prescribe regularly.
Have to admit that I haven't heard of this problem with Sativex. The kind of danger that you describe can occur with many rx drugs and certainly isn't limited to MJ based ones. Wonder if it's the typical biased attitude taking over when it comes to this situation.
Harry
Oh absolutely. As I mentioned in my post, these things can be a problem with a lot of other meds too... sedatives for instance... which many docs are ALSO hesitant to prescribe routinely (unless absolutely required). (most walk-in clinics for instance have signs that say that the doc won't prescribe sedatives or stimulants).
The problem isn't always biased attitudes. We don't know the personal opinions of these docs; for all we know, they have the same likelihood of having used cannabis recreationally in the past as anyone else in the population! So there's really no evidence that all docs are purely anti-MJ on principle (some are just as some patients are too).
One issue that I personally think MIGHT be involved (I don't know that there is evidence of this either but), is that as humans we tend to fear what we don't know a lot about. This is especially true in medicine because as a doctor, you would be influencing OTHER people's lives, not just your own - so there's a huge sense of liability that you might not have when it comes to deciding for yourself.
Because cannabis and cannabis-based medicines is newly being researched and understood, there's some hesitancy at first about the findings. Even though studies show some beneficial effects on certain symptoms, some might be worried about other effects that haven't yet been studied thoroughly (long-term effects, cardiovascular risks, cognitive functions, other potential things that haven't yet been studied thoroughly). And so some docs may not feel comfortable taking a risk on someone else's (the patient's) behalf.
As more information comes out about positive and adverse effects, it might become less of a "worrisome" thing for docs to consider this treatment. Even if there are adverse effects (like all drugs), at least knowing what they are and being able to give all info to patients to let them decide (currently this isn't possible because of insufficient evidence, especially for smoked MJ), would help docs feel safer prescribing it.
p.s. I'm only referring to medical professionals, who follow the literature and medical guidelines. The political stigma/bias/etc are probably different and not my place to comment on.
