As you know, VBCF is following developments around medical marijuana in Virginia. For more background, please see VBCF's recently published article
"Medical Marijuana 101".
Last session, the General Assembly asked the Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) to study this issue. JCHC held a meeting October 17th where staffer, Andrew Mitchell, presented his report: "
Medical Use and Health Effects of Cannabis." The report was very thorough and included policy options at the end (Summary and list of Policy Options start on page # 36).
The public has the opportunity to offer comments about the study and the policy options
now through November 7th. Public comments will be provided to Commission members for their use in decision making. VBCF will make an official comment in support of policy option #9, which would allow medical marijuana usage with the recommendation of a physician (see below) and we encourage you to show your support by submitting a public comment as well.
Action Needed:
Let the JCHC know your opinion about medical marijuana. We encourage you to identify yourself as a breast cancer patient, advocate, and/or survivor and deliver the following message and any other comments:
"It is time to allow qualified physicians, not lawmakers, the discretion to decide how best to treat their patients with cannabis-derived products."
Comments must be submitted
by November 7th to the JCHC via:
Mail: Joint Commission on Health Care, P.O. Box 1322, Richmond VA 23218
VBCF Comments Submitted to JCHC regarding the "Medical Use and Health Effects of Cannabis" study and policy options:
"On behalf of our Board of Directors and Virginians affected by breast cancer, VBCF supports policy option #9 as well as any legislative action to ensure safe THC-A and CBD oil usage and dispensing. It is time to allow qualified physicians, not lawmakers, the discretion to decide how best to treat their patients with these cannabis-derived products.
This support reflects our data and anecdotal information from the breast cancer community that medical marijuana offers relief of breast cancer therapy side effects such as nausea, vomiting and appetite suppression caused by chemotherapy as well as the pain relief that is offered to breast cancer patients undergoing surgical treatments. Decisions on the efficacy of medical marijuana in an individual's case should be made on the basis of the provider-patient relationship, which would be consistent with policy option 9."
THANK YOU!
NOTE: If you submit comments, please send me a quick email as we would like to track how many breast cancer advocates make a submission. (You do not have to send a copy of your comments). [email protected]
