Paramedics To Be Allowed Nebulized THC Treatments

In a breaking development, many states have been considering giving Nebulized THC treatments for certain patients. Medical marijuana is being more accepted in the medical community. THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) is used to help with pain management, stress management and helps with glaucoma.  

With marijuana being legalized in Colorado and Washington the idea of EMS systems carrying THC treatments is now being considered.

In some locations EMS providers have started to a pilot program to have Nebulized THC for pain management in patients who suffer from cancer or other debilitating medical issues such as Glaucoma.  A few EMS systems are also considering this for compound fractures as well.

According to Office of Emergency Medical Services Director, Gladys Dykes, this is a step in the right direction.  

“With medicinal marijuana being legalized in so many areas of the country, it’s about time that we make a stride in this direction,” Gladys stated.  “When you get a call and arrive to find that your patient is someone going through Chemo and is just feeling completely awful and in pain, sometimes THC is all that can help.  But we obviously can’t just roll a blunt and have the patient light up in the ambulance.  So using a medically established deliver system is a good answer. Thus we are testing the Nebulized THC protocol,” Gladys added.

Few agencies were willing to talk to CallTheCops about these pilot tests. Most cited fear of community backlash. One EMS director told us he already had a poor relationship with local Law Enforcement and did not want scrutiny trigger happy cops looking to make a pot bust.

Director Dykes, who was willing to go on record as long as we did not reveal what service she worked for followed up our interview by saying this.

“Our job, our mission is to help people. We have pledged to do no harm. If the doctors supports this as treatment then this is a treatment EMS should have access to. Our EMTs have the skills to provide other over-the-counter drugs, how is this any different?”

CallTheCops will continue to post updates at the pilot testing proceeds.