• Marijuana and THC Use

  • TITLE Marijuana and THC Use    
    DEPARTMENT Clinical Department EFFECTIVE DATE 02/01/2020 
    AUTHORIZED BY Policies and Procedures Committee   FOLLOW UP REVISION DATE 02/01/2022

  • POLICY:

    • Marijuana is classified by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency as a Schedule I controlled substance, making it illegal for any and all uses at a Federal level.  While there is evidence to support marijuana use for certain medical conditions, there is also evidence of significant harm that can result from its use.   We at New Health Services (NHS) recognize that some States, including Colorado, have legalized marijuana for both recreational and medicinal purposes.  At NHS, we strive to provide the safest, most effective therapies for our patients and our policies are designed to abide by the tightest governing standards.  Therefore, we do not allow patients receiving prescriptions from us for opioid medications to use marijuana or other products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary ingredient producing a “high” in marijuana.  We also take any marijuana use seriously and have designed the procedure described below to monitor patients for potential problems of marijuana use that would negatively affect their health.

    RESPONSIBLE STAFF:

    • All New Health Employees

    ASSOCIATED/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

    PROCEDURE:

    • Patients who endorse using marijuana or who have a toxicology test result positive for THC will be referred to a Behavioral Health provider, in addition to their medical provider, for a separate clinical assessment and to determine additional appropriate treatments.  Patient are expected to follow treatment recommendations in order to remain a patient at NHS.
    • Patients receiving opioid therapy from a provider at NHS who used marijuana or THC-containing products before becoming a patient here will be expected to stop using marijuana and THC-containing products.  They will be reassessed at regular intervals to ensure cannabinoid use has stopped and THC levels are decreasing in toxicology tests.  Patients receiving opioid therapy who do not stop cannabinoid use after becoming a patient at NHS will be referred to the NHS Intensive Outpatient Program and an appropriate medical provider.
    • Should patients continue to use marijuana or THC-containing products, we at NHS will continue to provide appropriate treatments, however they will not receive opioid medications.
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