New data from West Virginia showing strong physician interest in state’s developing medical marijuana program

As reported in this local article, headlined “Survey: 82 percent of WV doctors ‘interested’ in medical marijuana,” a notably large percentage of surveyed physicians have expressed an interest in an emerging medical marijuana regime. Here are the basics:

An overwhelming majority of surveyed West Virginia physicians are “interested” in medical cannabis, according to the Department of Health and Human Resources.  Of 1,455 physicians who took the online survey, 82 percent of them indicated their interest in medical marijuana, which will be legal in the state in July 2019 thanks to a law passed during the last legislative session.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, state health officer and commissioner of the state Bureau for Public Health, said the high response volume gives the state a sound outlook on patient and physician views of the looming change.  “We found that to be compelling that there is a certain level of interest, not just from patients, but from the physician community,” he said.

Along with doctors, the bureau analyzed survey results from 6,003 West Virginians, as well as Public Employees Insurance Agency and Medicaid claim data to tease out what tweaks, if any, might be needed for the nascent program.  Of the patients who responded, 2,120 reported suffering from chronic pain, 1,579 reported suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and another 980 reported suffering from a mental health disorder.

The Medicaid and PEIA data shows crossover between some of the most prevalent conditions in the state and the list of conditions whose victims qualify to obtain medical marijuana….

There is still work to be done and change for the organization to consider.  Among the questions Gupta said the board is considering: Should the state limit how many dispensaries can obtain a permit to sell?  Should the board approve the sale of marijuana in plant form?  Should patients be allowed to grow their own marijuana plants? Should patients be able to purchase any other forms of marijuana?

Marijuana will be available to certified patients in the form of a pill, oil, topical, via vaporization or nebulization, tincture, liquid, or dermal patch.  Gupta said the board is scheduled to meet again in February.