Comprehensive Hospice to offer medical marijuana to dying patients

Comprehensive Hospice plans to offer its patients medical marijuana this summer.

Dr. Margaret King, medical director of the Phoenix-based hospice, said her CEO, Charlotte Igo, approached her asking what she felt about medical marijuana.

When King said she was on board, plans got underway to get the doctor certified with the Arizona Department of Health Services to make recommendations for approved cardholders.

“It’s a wonderful thing we could do to help our patients be more comfortable,” she said.

King said the biggest hurdle was getting approval to be part of the Arizona Board of Pharmacy Controlled Substance Prescription Monitoring Program database. Every physician is required by law to register with this database to track physician activity.