Why can’t I go to a pharmacy to fill a prescription for medical marijuana?

because pharmacists don't have the legal rights to dispense medicinal marijuana

 

its so theres still the separation between mmj and other medications. It makes it harder to switch over to full blown mmj or legalization so it'll be less likely to happen or will take longer.

Its so theres still the distinction of cannabis as being different and therefore less accepted.

 

As I interpret the existing federal legislation and California State law regarding the use of MMJ, no Doctor can prescribe medical cannabis... period... the end....

All they can do is recommend. If any doctor were to write an actual prescription for MMJ they would be in direct conflict with both state and federal law, and as such would be in jeopardy of being prosecuted or having their license revoked. Add that to the fact that Marijuana is still on the federal schedule 1 drug list as noted below.


(1) Schedule I.-
(A) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
(B) The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
(C) There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision."
No prescriptions may be written for Schedule I substances, and such substances are subject to production quotas by the DEA.
Under the DEA's interpretation of the CSA, a drug does not necessarily have to have the same abuse potential as heroin or cocaine to merit placement in Schedule I (in fact, cocaine is currently a Schedule II drug due to limited medical use)

Until Cannabis is removed or reclassified under federal law it just ain't gonna happen.
.

 

I think there are variety of reasons which usually hovers from legal issues to almost everything under the sun depending on your locality. But mitvr420 and Brenjin were right. Pharmacists generally don't have the legal authority to dispense medicinal marijuana and indeed there is still a big chasm dividing mmj and other prescription drugs. That's the reason why people who understands mj's medicinal value, as well as users like us should make it a point to push for mmj the same way that multinational drug companies lobby for their products. It will definitely take awhile but we can always pop a smoke while waiting.

 

A pharmaceutical company cannot put their name on marijuana, because it has so many different molecules that affect the high. Pharm companies can only patent a drug that is created in a lab and not grown. There are other options that can be filled at a pharmacy like Marinol or Dronabinol, but most people agree that Marijuana is most useful in it's original form and not in pill form.

Hope this helps clear some confusion.

 

Schedule I is a bitch, ain't it?

 

If I'm not mistaken (and I may very well be), according to some state's medical marijuana laws, one is not technically "prescribed" marijuana, it is merely a physician's recommendation.

 

I think that's the most direct answer to your question johard. I have no idea about federal regulations in Germany. I could be wrong but my guess it is the primary reason you can't go to a pharmacy to fill a prescription for mmj.

 

Nearly all the answers here are viable. It doesn't only depend on its schedule, but that is a big part of it.

 

Correct. You do not receive a "prescription" for marijuana from your doctor. You are receiving a piece of paper stating that you have spoke with a professional medical doctor and he/she has determined that, due to a lack of other viable medication, he/she believes that it COULD be beneficial for you (the patient) to try medical marijuana to help your symptoms.

No doctor will write "this person needs marijuana for their disease." By not doing it that way, they are saving their license to practice medicine because they never told you a) that you needed it. or b) where to get it. All it is is a recommendation that marijuana may help your problem.

(I know Obama says they're not doing this anymore, but...) Would you want the pharmacy you get your, say, asthma inhalers to be shut down by the DEA because next in line they were giving Sally Joe an ounce of some OG Kush? Not so much.

Plus, the weed clubs are a much more personable weed experience than it would be at a pharmacy. At the pharmacy they just try to get you through as quick as possible: tell you the side effects (because the law requires them) and get your money. The people working at the dispensaries know their pot and can help decide which bud you need for your condition.

 

doctors get licenses on the state level so i don't get why if its legal in the state it still isn't able to be prescribed

 

Irvin Rosenfeld is the last guy to still get prescribed marijuana
Man Sets Marijuana Record, Smokes 115,000 Joints Provided by Federal Government - ABC News

 

Because doctors ultimately fall under the dictates of the DEA. If they're prescribing too much of a drug, not doing proper exams prior to writing prescriptions, or other prohibited acts like that then they have to answer to the DEA.

An M.D. cannot legally prescribe a substance located in the Schedule I tier under the Controlled Substances Act. That act was established by congress and is maintained by the DEA and FDA; two federal programs.

 

gotcha

 

Drug companies don't want their product labeled to cause an array of harmful side effects sold next to an "all-natural", virtually side effect-free drug that will do the same thing and more.

 

and well,they can't make money off selling something you can grow for free

 

Thats not entirely true. There are a few people who can legally get mmj from the federal government. I saw it in a documentary, i think it was The Union but I'm not sure

 

Those few people would be the drug researchers. You have to have a certain license to get Schedule I drugs and use them for testing. My professor (Biopsychological Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs) and his coworkers have this ability, but he said it's pretty hard to obtain.

 

no one should of answered him, look at his sig disrespectful 2 our community...advertising another smoke shop