who do i report misuse of medical marijuana by a patient?

Patients and caregivers should report any adverse reactions to medical marijuana to the MMCP toll-free helpline (1-833-464-6627). ABUSE PREVENTION The misuse or abuse of medications or other drugs has serious consequences. There are resources available to help.

Full Answer

What percentage of medical marijuana use is illegal?

In states that allow medical marijuana use, the rate of illegal use increased from 5.6 percent to 9.2 percent. That’s a higher use rate and a bigger percentage increase. The researchers defined illegal use as any use of marijuana that didn’t conform with the laws within the respondents’ state.

How do I report prescription drug abuse?

If you want to report someone who is abusing prescription drugs, you can make a call to the prescribing doctor. Submitting this complaint may encourage the doctor to run a drug test or to wean that patient off from the prescription.

Can a physician refuse to authorize a patient to report?

Exceptions can be made if a physician reasonably believes that a patient’s refusal to authorize reporting is coerced and therefore does not constitute a valid informed treatment decision. Physicians should also protect patient privacy when reporting by disclosing only the minimum necessary information.

Can I talk to my doctor about illegal substance use?

If you choose to talk to your doctor about illegal substance use, you can, in most cases, rest assured that your conversation will remain confidential. You can read up on physician-patient privilege at Wikipedia, but here are the important highlights: It’s a Legal Concept: The doctor-patient privilege is a nationally recognized legal concept.

Is the Florida medical marijuana registry public?

Importantly, pursuant to Florida Statute 381.987, the Department of Health only allows access to confidential and exempt information in the Medical Marijuana Use Registry to law enforcement agencies that are investigating a violation of law regarding marijuana in which the subject of the investigation claims a medical ...

Can a medical marijuana card be revoked in Florida?

Providing falsified, fraudulent, or misleading information during the application process. If discovered after issuing the MMJ card, the card will be revoked. Altering or modifying the card in any way after it has been received.

How do I report a dispensary in Florida?

You may also share this information with us by contacting our consumer assistance team at 1-800-HELP-FLA or 1-800-435-7352 (en Español: 1-800-FL-AYUDA or 1-800-352-9832) or by sending correspondence to: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Plaza Level 10, The Capitol, 400 S.

Can a caregiver sell to a dispensary in Missouri?

Who can Missouri dispensaries sell to? Only medical patients (or Primary Caregivers) with a valid DHSS-issued ID card can purchase from a dispensary in Missouri.

Can you get fired for having a medical card in Florida?

Sadly, Florida is not one of the few states that have established laws to protect workers from being discriminated against or fired for using medical cannabis.

Can you fly with medical Marijuanas?

In May, the T.S.A. updated its rules for flying with medical marijuana, allowing travelers to now carry products like Cannabidiol oil that contain less than 0.3 percent THC. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a molecule in cannabis that does not get patients high. Passengers can bring products that are approved by the F.D.A.

How do I file a consumer complaint in Florida?

Florida Attorney General's hotline helps victims of any type of fraud or unfair trade practices get the assistance they need; toll-Free 1-866-966-7226. Once at the Florida Bar website, click on "Consumer Services;" also see fee arbitration program, fee mediation program.

How do I report a Covid violation in Florida?

Violations for public employers can be reported to the Florida Department of Health through VaxPassFreeFL@FLHealth.gov. Private employers are prohibited from mandating COVID-19 vaccines for employees without opportunity for the employees to obtain an exemption.

How much can you buy from a dispensary at a time Florida?

2.5 ouncesCurrently, there are over 200 dispensaries statewide. As we mentioned above, medical cardholders in Florida can purchase 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower every 35 days.

Can a felon work at a dispensary in Missouri?

A disqualifying felony offense would prohibit an applicant from working in a medical marijuana facility, but a marijuana-related felony may not disqualify you.

How many patients can a caregiver have in Missouri?

threeHow many patients can a caregiver have? Caregivers can have up to three caregiver licenses for three (3) separate patients. No individual shall serve as a caregiver for a qualifying patient who is already served by two (2) primary caregivers.

Are dabs a felony in Missouri?

“The offense of possession of any controlled substance except thirty-five grams or less of marijuana or any synthetic cannabinoid is a class D felony.”

What is a physician complaint?

Physician Complaints. Complaints regarding physicians who certify patients for the medical use of marijuana will be received pursuant to the Department’s authority to enforce Article XIV, Section 1, and the associated regulations.

What happens when a physician receives a complaint?

Upon receiving a complaint against a physician, the department will determine whether an investigation is warranted. If the department conducts an investigation pursuant to the complaint, the complainant will be notified of that decision, and the physician will receive a copy of the complaint.

Can a facility receive a copy of a complaint?

If the department conducts an inspection, the facility will receive a copy of the complaint . Employees of a facility who report potential violations by a facility to the department may not be subjected to retaliation of any kind, including termination, because of their report.

How many cultivation licenses are there for a patient?

Each qualifying patient may only have one cultivation license, either held by the qualifying patient or held by their designated primary caregiver. Only a parent or guardian who holds a primary caregiver identification card may obtain a cultivation license for a qualifying patient under the age of 18.

Is marijuana legal in Missouri?

The Department is alerting licensed patients that only Department-licens ed dispensaries are legally authorized to sell medical marijuana in the state of Missouri. The Department is committed to ensuring safe access for medical marijuana patients through medical marijuana sales at Department-licensed dispensaries and would like to remind patients and caregivers that products purchased outside of those available at dispensaries are not lawfully purchased and have not been tested to ensure they meet the required safety standards. A list of Department licensed dispensaries is available here. This list is updated regularly. Questions about Department-licensed facilities can be sent to medicalmarijuanainfo@health.mo.gov.

How many states have legalized recreational marijuana?

In eight states, recreational marijuana use is legal for adults. For their study, the researchers used data from three different time periods. The first was 1991-1992, when marijuana was not legal in any state. The second was 2001-2002, when six states allowed medical marijuana use.

Is marijuana more likely to be vaporized?

The results were somewhat similar to a 2016 RAND Corporation study that concluded adults who use marijuana for medical purposes are more likely to consume or vaporize the drug than recreational users.

Does marijuana legalization increase the use of drugs?

Marijuana legalization laws don’t appear to increase the use of the drug among teenagers. However, medical marijuana laws may be driving up the use and abuse of the drug among adults. that has reignited the debate over whether marijuana laws encourage illegal use of cannabis.

Do medical marijuana laws encourage adult use?

Do Medical Marijuana Laws Encourage Adults to Misuse the Drug? Research has shown marijuana legalization doesn’t increase teen use, but a new study concludes the laws may be increasing abuse of the drug among adults. Marijuana legalization laws don’t appear to increase the use of the drug among teenagers. However, medical marijuana laws may be ...

Is marijuana harmful to kids?

These studies prompted the American Academy of Pediatrics to issue a warning in February to parents saying marijuana can be harmful to children. Nonetheless, the question still remains as to why marijuana laws seem to have no impact on teens but do encourage increased use by adults.

Who is the deputy director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse?

Dr. Wilson Compton , the deputy director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, said the recent research was a “strong design to test the implications” of the new marijuana laws.

What is the biggest fear people face when just thinking about admitting substance use to their doctor?

The biggest fear people face when just thinking about admitting substance use to their doctor is consequences. Discomfort grows when a person is using an illegal substance. The biggest fear is being reported to the authorities. Thanks to doctor-patient confidentiality, this fear is often only as big as you make it.

What to do if you know you have a substance use problem?

If you know you have a substance use problem, it’s time to talk to your doctor, even if the drug (s) you’re using are illegal. The point of talking to your doctor is to seek and obtain the kind of treatment that will help you stop abusing drugs and end your addiction. Your doctor can help you find the right treatment.

What is the oath of a doctor?

The oath serves as a sort of moral guide , and medical practitioners must abide by a code of ethics. While doctor’s view patient-physician confidentiality as a fundamental tenet of their code of ethics, they are bound to abide by it within the constraints of the law. Harm Must be Reported: By law and ethics, a doctor must report severe bodily injury.

Why do people depend on health insurance?

As a result, roughly 98% of U.S. citizens depend on health insurance because without it medical visits and care would be largely unaffordable. Healthcare is currently a highly explosive topic.

Can insurance deny surgery?

The patient’s insurance agency can deny coverage of the surgery by stating the patient was documented as using an illegal or controlled substance that is known to cause heart problems when used regularly or long term. This “insurance loophole” doesn’t apply to legal addictive substances, like alcohol and cigarettes.

Can a doctor discuss drug use?

A doctor cannot discuss the information you share in confidence, and if they do, you can take legal recourse, even when admitting something like heroin or cocaine use. If you choose to talk to your doctor about illegal substance use, you can, in most cases, rest assured that your conversation will remain confidential.

Can drug use affect insurance?

Those records can then be submitted to your insurance agency, and they can then use those records to increase premiums, deny payment, or deny coverage for certain conditions and/or procedures. It is possible that admitting to drug use could affect future coverage when most needed.

How to report someone who is abusing prescription drugs?

One of the ways you can report someone who is abusing prescription drugs is by contacting the DEA. The DEA has a tip hotline where you can let them know if someone is abusing prescription drugs. It can be tough to call the DEA on a loved one or friend. However, if they are abusing prescription drugs, such as hydrocodone or oxycodone, ...

Why do you call 9-1-1?

If so, you can call 9-1-1. You want your loved one to stay safe. Every time they abuse prescription drugs they are at a risk of overdosing. If they are selling or buying drugs from others, they are putting themselves in a dangerous situation. Calling 9-1-1 on your loved one may seem like you are putting them away.

How many people abuse prescription drugs?

According to HealthDay, in the United States of America, around seven million people abuse prescription drugs. This is a much higher statistic than it is for those who abuse heroin, ecstasy, and cocaine combined. Many people think about addiction and don’t want to relate to it. They don’t think it will ever happen to someone they love.

Can prescription painkillers be addictive?

There are some prescription drugs that are more addictive than others, such as prescription painkillers and ADHD medications. While these medications should always be taken only by the person they are prescribed to and at the dosage prescribed, that doesn’t always happen.

Is addiction a choice?

The thing is though, it isn’t a choice. Addiction is a disease. For example, someone might be prescribed prescription painkillers after a surgery. They may become dependent upon them. Then, their tolerance is increased and before they know it, they are abusing the medications meant to help them.

Can a doctor run a drug test?

Most doctors, nowadays, run random drug tests. This allows them to test the levels of drugs in their patient’s system, to make sure they aren’t abusing them. This isn’t done all the time, though. If you want to report someone who is abusing prescription drugs, you can make a call to the prescribing doctor.

Can a doctor tell you about a patient?

The truth is the doctor can’t tell you anything about their patients, even if it is your loved one, unless you are on the contact list. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t talk to the doctor and just have them listen to you. Most doctors, nowadays, run random drug tests.

What is the abuse in the exam room?

Patients in your exam room may be experiencing one of a number of forms of abuse—domestic violence, human trafficking or other violence— and identifying those being abused can sometimes be tough.

What to consider before reporting suspected violence?

What to consider before reporting. Before reporting suspected violence or abuse, the Code says physicians should: Inform patients about requirements to report. Obtain the patient’s informed consent when reporting is not required by law.

How many victims of trafficking had contact with a health professional?

The authors noted research showing that 88% of victims had contact with a health professional while being trafficked, but none were identified or offered help in getting out of their situation during the medical encounter.

Do you have to see one on one for a trafficked patient?

Dr. Ravi said it is also important to establish a policy—even putting it in writing in the exam and waiting rooms—that says a patient needs to be seen one-on-one for part of the visit. Trafficked patients may come in with a man or woman who is trafficking them; sometimes that person could even be a relative.

Can a physician make exceptions to patient privacy?

Exceptions can be made if a physician reasonably believes that a patient’s refusal to authorize reporting is coerced and therefore does not constitute a valid informed treatment decision. Physicians should also protect patient privacy when reporting by disclosing only the minimum necessary information.

Monitoring controlled substances

Dr. L’s clinical situation probably would not have arisen 10 years ago because until recently, she would have had no easy way to learn that Ms. X’s prescription had been filled.

Reporting past crimes

What Ms. X told Dr. L implies that someone—the patient, her roommate, or both—misused a prescription to obtain a controlled substance. Simple improper possession of a scheduled drug is a federal misdemeanor offense, 12 and deception and conspiracy to obtain a scheduled drug are federal-level felonies. 13 Such actions also violate state laws. Dr.

Deciding how to proceed

If Dr. L still feels inclined to do something about the misused prescription, what are her options? What clinical, legal, and moral obligations to act should she consider?