Janice Knox, MD, the founding physician behind American Cannabinoid Clinics, led the family’s effort to specialize in medical marijuana in 2012 after she retired from a career in anesthesiology.
Dr. Knox’s husband, David Knox, MD, an emergency room physician in Portland, and their oldest daughter, Rachel Knox, MD, work with her at the Portland clinic. Telemedicine allowed the physician couple’s other daughter, Jessica Knox, MD, who lives in San Francisco, to also work at the clinic.
Here are five takeaways from the report.
1. Dr. Janice Knox received a call from a “card mill” asking her to fill in for a physician, which is a practice known for writing medical marijuana prescriptions quickly rather than closely examining patients’ needs. She then conducted in-depth research on the endocannabinoid system, attended conferences on cannabis and became certified as a cannabis specialist.
2. To fight against the mindset of card mills, the Knox family practices medicine with cannabis. The physicians advise new marijuana users to begin with drops of a cannabis extract or a topical application that helps to ensure correct dosing.
3. The physicians note the importance of recognizing every client is different. For example, some patients who have anxiety may not respond well to products with high THC levels. For patients who are new to marijuana use, the physicians suggest they use edible marijuana products.
4. The physicians also ensure all patients are informed of any possible side effects of medical marijuana use, such as the risk of lung cancer, cognitive impairment or impaired driving.
5. Although Dr. Janice Knox is aware physicians are “in a precarious position” while working with a federally controlled substance, 29 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana. Additionally, eight states have legalized recreational use of marijuana for adults, according to The Post. “We’re going to plow ahead and do what it’s right for us to do,” she said.
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