Complaint: Doc Prescribed Pot To Pregnant Woman

[The Straight Story]

Complaint: Doc Prescribed Pot To Pregnant Woman
Colo. Medical Board Will Consider Revoking Doctor's License

DENVER -- The Colorado Medical Board will consider revoking the license of a doctor suspected of improperly recommending marijuana to a woman who was 28 weeks pregnant.

Dr. Manuel De Jesus Aquino of Denver could become the first Colorado doctor to lose his license or face a sanction over a medical marijuana recommendation.

The complaint filed last week by Philip Davis, a lawyer for the medical board, said the unidentified 20-year-old woman didn't explain she was pregnant, and Aquino didn't thoroughly examine her or even take any notes on his three-minute evaluation before giving her a pot recommendation in January.

The doctor also didn't ask about the woman's medical history or give her instructions on follow-up care, according to the complaint, which adds that pregnancy should preclude marijuana recommendations.

http://www.clickorlando.com/health/26249014/detail.html#

[CBGLuthier]

1. YES! Only approved drugs may be taken during pregnancy

So pass the thalidomade and make room for the flipper babies. All safe and legal. And think of how much money you will save over a child's lifetime by not having to buy shoes or gloves.

[Maru Kitteh]

11. Thalidomide was never approved for use during pregnancy in the US.

So that's a comparison fail.

[RegieRocker]

2. Oh my the risks are very very high

another liberal would be born!

[HereSince1628]

3. I have this crazy desire

to have my health providers know something about me and my medical history prior to all treatments.

Of course, if that treatment involves mj, then all criticisms of the provider are unreasonable and extend the police state into Dr-Patient relationship!

[Maru Kitteh]

12. exactly. n/t

[Systematic Chaos]

4. If the mj were for pain, wtf would they have her do?

Do they want her risking serious fetal injury with narcotic pain pills?

I've heard of fetal alcohol syndrome, crack babies and all kinds of other horrors, but I've never heard of a baby born with major defects because of marijuana.

Not that it should be encouraged, but again...pain pills would be better? Gimme a fucking break.

[bemildred]

5. Was this some sort of trap?

Who sent the woman to him? How did the board find out about this if she went on her own?

[Warren Stupidity]

7. sure sounds like it

[Warren Stupidity]

6. Where exactly is the research that indicates that pot should not be used while pregnant?

[Maru Kitteh]

20. The truth is there hasn't been nearly enough research done and what has been done is inconclusive

A couple studies show a moderate risk of prematurity, low birth weight and reduced head circumference. A few studies have found little statistically evident effects.

It would be irresponsible to make a claim that cannabis is either safe or unsafe. More objective, scientific research should be done.

[FirstLight]

8. it helps morning sickness, for sure

sheesh, when will the insanity of the war on drugs END?

[Maru Kitteh]

9. He should have his license revoked for prescribing ANYTHING w/o taking a medical history. Quack.

[FrancisTreptoe]

10. Looks like the doctor didn't really examine her.

Or take a look at her medical history, so that was pretty stupid of him. As much as I recommend Marijuana for its medicinal use as a painkiller over addictive opioids, has there been any studies done over Marijuana consumed during pregnancy?

[Robb]

15. There have been, but it appears "inconclusive" is the way to describe them.

Long article here: http://www.mothering.com/pregnancy-birth/use-of-marijuana-during-pregnancy

[FrancisTreptoe]

18. Very Interesting, Thank You!

[UTUSN]

13. The indigenous people who grow it consider it a PAIN KILLER, not for recreational use

"When a woman is giving birth or a man has a broken limb."

[EOTE]

21. Which indigenous people would those be?

And dear god, that must be some insanely powerful pot. I love weed, but if I broke an arm or leg, that would be the last thing I asked for. If a doctor tried to give me some pot for a broken leg, I'd be like "Get me some morphine now!".

[Hello_Kitty]

14. If it's good for the mom it's probably good for the fetus too.

If she's nauseous and not eating and pot helps her regain her appetite then it's all good.

[Barack_America]

16. Negligent doctor.

It is vital to ask a woman if she is pregnant and when her last menstrual period was before prescribing any medication. Not to mention actually taking a medical history and arranging follow-up care.

This doc deserves to at least have his license suspended.

[Lyric]

17. Is THC actually dangerous to a fetus?

I would assume that smoking it might not be good, since a pregnant woman has much higher oxygen needs than a non-pregnant woman. But eating it in brownies or cookies? Is there any research that shows a harmful effect on a fetus? Or, more accurately, a 28-week-old fetus? Some substances are dangerous in the first trimester but not in later pregnancy and vice versa.

:shrug:

[Cleita]

19. The doctor I work for prescribes pot.

However, he spends at least thirty minutes and often an hour with each patient evaluating them. He insists they bring current medical records from their primary care doctor and he won't prescribe Med. MJ. if a woman is pregnant or nursing. So three minutes isn't sufficient for an evaluation.