Puerto Rico Makes Medical Marijuana History (Interview with First Doctor Allowed to Prescribe it)
By John Hiltz, Marijuana.com
The first Doctor in Puerto Rico has just been awarded certification to prescribe medical marijuana, setting this U.S. Territory on a historical path forward. Puerto Ricans are now going to enjoy a freedom that most countries around the world still don’t possess.
Further to that, Puerto Rico’s “parent company,” the United States of America, has already legalized weed recreationally in many states, so Puerto Ricans can rest easy knowing that the feds won’t come knocking from so far away.
Marijuana.com caught up with the recipient of this certification, Dr. Michael Soler, to ask him about being the first to get the go ahead.
When did Puerto Rico decide MMJ would be legalized?
That’s a new regulation in Puerto Rico. The Governor’s office decided to [enact]an executive order to the Secretary of Health in Puerto Rico to start working in regulations [for medical cannabis].
What qualifications do you need to have to prescribe medical cannabis in Puerto Rico?
The [main]phase of regulation is that the physicians on the island that are dually licensed, just like me, must attend different courses and comply with the requirements to be certified marijuana doctors.
How did it come about that you were the first doctor in Puerto Rico to receive your cannabis certification?
It was a coincidence to be honest with you. I completed all my requirements and submitted all my documents in a timely manner and I became the first one.
Are all Doctors in Puerto Rico required to learn about cannabis in order to prescribe it or just those that are interested in doing so?
It’s just for those that are certified by the Department of Health in Puerto Rico. On the island right now there are about 40 [doctors]who have applied.
What are you allowed to prescribe medical marijuana for?
The regulation down here established 14 clinical conditions that are allowed to be treated with medical marijuana. [That includes] HIV, cancer, hepatitis, crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, etc.
When will medical marijuana be available to Puerto Ricans?
Since we are in phase one of implementation there are no crops of marijuana growing in Puerto Rico. So in this particular stage of the regulation, what they are doing is preparing the physicians and certifying them.
The doctors already certified can start evaluating patients who are potential candidates for medical marijuana, but the [cultivation]is starting this month and they are expecting the crops will be ready by November of this year.
Do you believe there will ever be a time where Puerto Rico might eventually go recreational?
From my perspective, [medical marijuana]is one of the first steps in that direction. Just like any other states or country in the world, you have more users in the black market. Eventually I believe this is the very first step going toward that final goal.