Dear Editor:

As one of the physicians who is writing medical marijuana recommendations on the Western Slope, I wanted to present the other side of the article in The Aspen Times last week titled "Pot docs worrying Colorado health officials."

In fact, the medical marijuana evaluation presents an incredible opportunity for both the patient and the doctor to exchange vitally important medical information. I have developed what I believe to be an ethical, compassionate and informative evaluation. When a patient comes to me, he fills out an intake form that includes past medical and surgical history, why he feels medical marijuana might be helpful to him, if he has medicated with marijuana in the past, if he has used narcotics for his condition, other meds he is using, as well as his tobacco and alcohol history.

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