This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on April 3, 2011.
According to a recent study, there has been a 40% increase in a patient’s primary physician recommending the use of medical marijuana
Troy, MI – According to a study released through the Medical Marijuana Dispensary Association, a collection of various dispensaries and care giving operations throughout Michigan, their numbers indicate a spike in family doctors prescribing medical marijuana. A random sampling of 500 medical marijuana patients indicated that roughly 7.3% had used their primary care physician for a medical marijuana recommendation, up from 5.2% for data 6 months prior.
When asked if you decide to continue the use of medical marijuana, 71% indicated they would likely continue with the previous doctor that recommended their use last year. Nearly 82% responded, given the opportunity “I would prefer to use my primary physician if possible.”
78% of respondents indicated that they had some form of medical insurance coverage.
Sam T. an employee with a metro Detroit dispensary commented, “I am witnessing more people who are discussing medical marijuana with their primary physician but are unwilling to sign recommendations due to hospital policy. They are using doctors that have changed their focus to medical marijuana recommendations. I am hearing more patients say their doctor signed this year and see a small uptick in that.”
Data indicates that doctors are more willing to sign recommendations but patient data sampling indicates a 91% likelihood that patients will continue the doctor / patient relationship with the same physician that signed a previous recommendation.
More information about the Medical Marijuana Dispensary Association visit their website at www.dispensaryassociation.org