California is considering adopting enormously wrong-headed chronic pain treatment recommendations by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine that would ban medical cannabis use for injured workers.
The recommendation flies in the face of scores of scientific studies, including reports by the National Academy of Sciences* and California’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research,** plus the experience of countless California patients and doctors who have found medical cannabis valuable for treating intractable chronic pain.
The California Division of Workers’ Compensation will be holding zoom hearings on March 14 on a regulation to adopt the ACOEM recommendation. Written comments must be submitted no later than March 14th to: [email protected].
Concerned patients, physicians, researchers, providers and attorneys are urged to call on the DWC to reject the proposed regulation.
* National Academy of Sciences, The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017) p. 90: “CONCLUSION 4-1: There is substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults”
** UCSD Press Release Feb 18, 2010: UC Studies Show Marijuana Has Therapeutic Value, Reports to Legislature.
Maureen Gray, regulations coordinator
Department of Industrial Relations
Division of Workers’ Compensation
1515 Clay Street, 18th floor
Oakland, CA 94612
The division’s contact person must receive all written comments concerning the proposed modification to the regulations no later than March 14, 2025. Written comments may be submitted by facsimile transmission (FAX), addressed to the contact person at (510) 286-0687. Written comments may also be sent electronically (via e-mail), using the following e-mail address: [email protected].
