Massachusetts Medical Society opposes medicinal marijuana
Opposition to the legalization of medicinal marijuana in the absence of scientific studies that demonstrate its safety and efficacy led the list of resolutions adopted by physicians of the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) at the organization’s annual meeting of its House of Delegates on May 19 in Boston.
MMS’ annual meeting brings together hundreds of Massachusetts physicians from across the state to examine and consider specific resolutions brought forth by members to MMS’s House of Delegates, its policy-making body. Resolutions approved by the membership become policies of the organization.
“The basis for the stance on medicinal marijuana is that no sufficient data to date has been found by the medical or scientific communities to conclude that smoked marijuana is the best approach to dealing with medical issues, either in terms of safety or effectiveness,” said Rick Gulla, MMS’ media relations manager. “Further, as physicians oppose smoking, smoking marijuana should not be recommended by physicians.”
The multi-part resolution on medicinal marijuana also advocated that marijuana be reclassified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration so that its potential medicinal use by humans may be further studied and potentially regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; supported the development of non-smoked, reliable delivery systems of cannabis-derived and cannabinoid medications for research purposes; and supported educating residents of the Commonwealth that there is insufficient scientific information about the safety of marijuana when used for medicinal purposes.
A second, separate resolution on medicinal marijuana declared that the Medical Society “cannot support legislation intended to involve physicians in certifying, authorizing, or otherwise directing persons in the use of medicinal marijuana outside of scientific and clinical trials.”
Among other resolutions adopted by the delegates:
Physician Gift Ban: MMS members adopted a resolution to engage in advocacy to modify the Massachusetts ban on gifts to physicians if such advocacy advances patient interest, if it conforms to the guidelines regarding industry gifts to physicians as stated by the American Medical Association and the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education, and if it does not adversely affect public trust or the benefit to the patient from modification of the law outweighs the ethical impact of any potential adverse effect on public trust.
Medical Liability: Physicians voted to financially support the initiative to transform the medical liability system in the state to one of Disclosure, Apology, and Offer, an effort led by the Medical Society and announced last month by a coalition of major hospitals and healthcare organizations in the state.
Accountable Care Organizations: Physicians passed a resolution for the Medical Society to strongly advocate that all physicians practicing in the same geographic area be allowed to participate in any local accountable care organizations or integrated networks upon demonstration of compliance with non-exclusionary and transparent requirements for participation. The resolution further stated that the Medical Society will developed reasonable criteria for membership in ACOs and integrated networks.
Employed Physicians: Physicians approved a resolution stating that the Medical Society should become the lead association for physicians in Massachusetts who maintain employment or contractual relationships with hospitals, health systems, and other entities and to represent and address the unique needs of employed physicians in those organizations.
Robotic Surgery: A resolution was adopted to oppose efforts of the legislature to develop training protocols, certification, and guidelines for surgeon training and experience for the use of robotic surgery.
Oral Health: The Society agreed to create a Task Force on Oral Health whose objectives include engaging medical educators to add oral health into medical curriculum and to incorporate oral health into Medical Society initiatives to improve public health.
Strategic Plan: Delegates approved the 2012-2013 strategic priorities for the Society to include improving health care quality, access, and equity for patients, while delivering cost-effective care and promoting a sound public health system for the Commonwealth. A focus of the Society will be to strengthen and support physician practice viability and the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship.
According to Gulla, while all the resolutions are important, “the ones regarding the strategic plan, which set the priorities for the MMS, the ACOs, employed physicians and liability are topics that are very active right now.”
