Physicians, marijuana, the new DEA, and the Oregon Medical Board

Physicians beware: marijuana may complicate your professional life

I earlier wrote about marijuana, the practice of medicine, and the Oregon Medical Board, cautioning physicians that regardless of state law, marijuana is still a Schedule I banned substance under federal law, meaning that without a research permit or exception, it cannot be used or prescribed for any purpose under federal law.  Consequently, I cautioned physicians not to become complacent when recommending marijuana for medical use and not to confuse compliance with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) with meeting the applicable standard of care.

Admittedly, under former Justice Department policy, federal law has been lightly enforced and in those states where marijuana is “legal,” a lax attitude prevails among the general public.  For those of us that possess professional licenses, however, we are often held to higher standards and this seems to be particularly true for Oregon physicians, whether they are recommending marijuana for medical use, or consuming marijuana in their off time.  This point was hammered home earlier this month when I represented two physicians during their Investigative Committee (IC) interviews at the Oregon Medical Board.  One physician had recommended marijuana for medical use.  Although he had strictly complied with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP), the Medical Board’s concern was the standard of care.  The other physician had never recommended marijuana for medical use, but he had admitted to personal use, and not always in a state where it was legal under state law.  Both physicians were honest and forthcoming, but marijuana had complicated their professional lives, something we all want to avoid.

Physicians, the times they are a changing: the new DEA

The times are not getting any easier for physicians recommending or using marijuana.  New Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who heads the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has long opposed the legalization of recreational marijuana and yesterday, Sean Spicer, the President’s press secretary, explained during his daily press briefing that under the new administration we can expect “greater enforcement” of federal law banning the recreational use of marijuana even in those states where recreational use is “lawful” under state law.  I suspect the Oregon Medical Board was not surprised. During a side conversation earlier this month, a Medical Board investigator commented this might happen under the new administration and, a few weeks later, it did.  I think it is safe to assume that in this new era, the Oregon Medical Board will have still greater concerns about the recreational use of marijuana by physicians in any state, including Oregon, where it is “legal” under State law but still a Schedule I banned substance under Federal law.