YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY

Springfield, MO

Log in Subscribe

Who’s recommending medical marijuana?

CoxHealth and Mercy officials say they will not be certifying use of the drug

Posted online

The imminent emergence of medical marijuana in Springfield is complicated.

From zoning, state licensing and general acceptance of the product, there’s many obstacles those working to distribute or cultivate the product have to overcome.

For one, Springfield’s two major health care systems announced in late June their doctors won’t be recommending medical marijuana to patients. Official statements released by both CoxHealth and Mercy separately explained their positions: Mercy declared insufficient medical and scientific research on the risks and benefits of medical marijuana, and CoxHealth cited conflicting state and federal laws.

“Because we must certify every year that we are in compliance with all federal laws, or risk losing the ability to provide care for Medicare and Medicaid patients, we cannot act in a manner that is in any way inconsistent with federal law,” CoxHealth’s statement reads.

It goes on to say its physicians would not be certifying patients as having a qualifying medical condition for the use of marijuana, though the statement acknowledges a likely therapeutic benefit.

“That’s going to hurt us. Cox and Mercy own this place,” said Jamie Tillman, owner of the local cannabidiol shop Canna Bliss. “I was disappointed. These doctors are highly educated, and they know their patients’ needs better than the (government). Therefore I feel like they should be able to (recommend) them the medicine they need.”

Medical marijuana entrepreneurs have found other options.

Tillman said she’s referring customers to Flora Wellness and Elite Pain Management for certifications in town. She’s also looking for an independent physician to write medical marijuana certifications from leased space in the second unit of her planned Battlefield Road medical marijuana dispensary.

Patients use these physician certificates, aka doctor recommendations, in their applications for patient identification cards, according to the state Department of Health and Senior Services.

Dr. Gilbert Mobley, aka “Dr. Gil,” is writing recommendations for $250. Mobley said he’s written around 100 recommendations, and he’s scheduled to meet with another 50 patients.

“I think the cannabis community knows I’m the man,” he said, adding the medical marijuana recommendations have become a “significant” portion of his business, Dr. Gil’s Immediate Care.

Mobley said the patient must have a qualifying medical condition with an ongoing medical record that documents something in the patient’s current treatment is not working. He said he wants his patients to already have tried the drug and know that they’re able to tolerate its side effects.

Qualifying medical conditions, according to the state department, include cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma and a terminal illness.

Chip Sheppard, attorney and shareholder of Carnahan, Evans Cantwell & Brown PC, was a board member of the New Approach Missouri team campaigning for Amendment 2 that passed in November 2018. Sheppard said he didn’t understand CoxHealth and Mercy’s announcements to not recommend medical marijuana.

“A lot of these patients are terminally ill, and it’s a shame these patients can’t get their own doctor to certify that they have this condition,” Sheppard said. “It’s a head scratcher because they’re not prescribing, they’re not recommending, all they’re doing is certifying that a patient had a particular condition, period.”

He doesn’t think this will affect the number of patients looking for a medical marijuana card, though.

The Green Clinics, which operates in St. Louis, Kansas City and throughout rural Missouri, plans to launch a telehealth option for patients throughout Missouri to obtain a medical marijuana recommendation, founder and CEO Emily Branch said in an email.

Branch said she is not planning to bring the clinic to the Springfield market, as there are enough physicians in the area prepared to serve patients.

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment
Editors' Pick
From the Ground Up: Republic Intermediate School

The Republic School District is on track to open its Intermediate School for fifth- and sixth-grade students for the 2025-26 academic year.

Most Read
Update cookies preferences