Expanding Texas' medical marijuana program to include chronic pain management would be a...
This research is encouraging lawmakers to finally give patients more options for pain management than endless supplies of pills. A bill sponsored by state Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, would allow physicians to prescribe medicinal cannabis instead of opioids for patients battling chronic pain. The bill authorizes the Department of State Health Services to add more medical conditions to the program through the agency's rulemaking process.
The limitations of Texas’ medical marijuana program are excessive. Patients require a doctor’s prescription if they have a qualifying condition but must pay exorbitant out-of-pocket costs for any marijuana dosage, since Texas has such a limited dispensary market and health insurers don’t cover it. Even as lawmakers have expanded the program, many common medical conditions, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s Disease, still don’t qualify.
"If I am afforded that leeway with those dangerous medicines, I feel like as a physician, with my medical judgment and knowledge, I should be able to prescribe a concentrated medicine that is safe and effective and not as addictive," Brimberry said. We agree, and while we urge the Senate to pass Klick's bill, the ultimate goal for the program should be to serve every Texan with a substantial pain management need that over-the-counter aspirin or Tylenol can't fix. Bringing more people into the program would lower the price of prescriptions — which can range from $300 to $1,000 — and allow the state to license more dispensaries that can serve a broader geographic region. The three licensed dispensaries are all in Central Texas.
Texas' pot prohibitions have long frustrated us and it's time for a broader public debate about legalization. Having a narrowly-tailored medical marijuana program made some sense eight years ago as it was just getting off the ground.
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