It may well be that health care providers in Springfield are mum on medical marijuana because of the potential liability associated with it.  Just last week a Florida jury awarded Cynthia Robinson, whose husband died of lung cancer, $23.6 billion in punitive damages from R.J.  Reynolds.

Paving the way for the verdict was the state’s Supreme Court’s ruling making it easier to prove that Big Tobacco knowingly sold dangerous products and hid the hazards of cigarette smoking.  The Court said that smokers and their families needed only to prove addiction and illnesses or death.

The dangers of marijuana are well documented.  Based upon years of research the Food and Drug Administration has concluded that “marijuana has a high potential for abuse, has no accepted medical use in the United States, and lacks an acceptable level of safety for use even under medical supervision.”

Physicians who are considering recommending marijuana should be checking their medical malpractice insurance.  They may find that recommending the use of a non-FDA approved medication is excluded from coverage.
Source: State Journal-Register (IL) Copyright: 2014 The State Journal-Register

Source:  Judy Kreamer Educating Voices, Inc.  Naperville August 2014