Florida's new medical marijuana legislation places limitations on telemedicine reports the Sun Sentinel.
Under the proposed law, a physician must be physically present when issuing a medical marijuana certificate, restricting physicians from using telemedicine — including phone, email or other remote treatment services — to prescribe medical marijuana.
"A qualified physician may issue a physician certification only if the qualified physician: conducted a physical examination while physically present in the same room as the patient and a full assessment of the medical history of the patient," the proposed bill reads.
Some say this limitation harms those the bill seeks to help: the gravely ill. State Rep. Lori Berman, D-Lantana, called the telemedicine ban "yet another burden" to bedridden patients who could have teleconferenced with physicians, according to a separate Sun Sentinel report.
The bill, which Gov. Rick Scott said he "absolutely" would sign, passed 29-6 in the Senate and 103-9 in the House, Sun Sentinel reports, with some Democrats voting no due to the current bill's restrictions and some Republicans remaining against the idea on principle.
Click here and here to read the proposed Senate and House bills that would make up Article X, section 29 of the state's Constitution.
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Connecticut Senate OKs telemedicine for eye exams, with restrictions