Read the full article at ArkansasMatters here.
BENTON, Ark. – Less than 20 doctors in the Natural State will currently sign off on medical marijuana certification forms for patients.
That’s according to the Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association.
The doctors have been busy. To date, the Arkansas Department of Health has approved 800 patients’ applications to buy the drug.
However, there’s still a lot of confusion surrounding medical marijuana when it comes to hospitals and clinics.
For example, the UAMS Capitol Mall Clinic recently handed out notes to its patients that read, “Please be aware, per clinical policy the Providers here at Capitol Mall Clinic will NOT BE FILLING OUT the Medical Marijuana Physician Written Certification Form for medicinal marijuana.”
UAMS has since said the notes were passed out in error. According to hospital policy and the new state law, the decision to sign certification forms lies with each individual doctor.
While many at clinics in central Arkansas are still weighing the pros and cons, one Benton doctor jumped in.
“I told my staff, ‘Hey, let’s get geared up, let’s go,” said Dr. Roger Tilley. “We started getting phone calls almost immediately.”
Dr. Tilley has run Saline Medical Group since 1980. His young medical professional self never dreamed about prescribing cannabis.
