Pharmacists in politics

State legislators with pharmacy backgrounds shape health care policy
Although no pharmacists are in Congress, 46 pharmacists currently serve in state legislatures across the country. The November elections may bring as many as 12 new pharmacists to their state legislature; 6 pharmacists are running in 4 of the 25 states now without pharmacist legislators.
Of those pharmacists now in office, some had served in government or leadership positions related to pharmacy before their election—state boards of pharmacy, various pharmacy-related committees, and similar groups. Others, however, were new to leadership when elected. A majority, 36, are Republicans; 10 are Democrats.
www.pharmacist.com/pharmacists-politics-0

According to the State of Oregon, Marijuana is a medicine!!

So, I was thinking.
According to the State of Oregon, Marijuana is a medicine. It's "medical" marijuana with "medicine" dispensaries.
So, is a person who dispenses "medicine" at these "state licensed" locations required to be a licensed pharmacist?
What if a person is taking other prescription drugs that are not compatible with marijuana? Does the person at the dispensary inquire if the person is currently taking any narcotics or other prescription drugs?
Is the dispensary person behind the counter educated enough to know there won't be any adverse or potentially deadly reactions to say a drug prescribed for liver disease or a blood thinner etc?
If someone does die from "mixing" deadly drugs who gets sued?
The dispensary?
The State of Oregon?
The doctor who prescribed the marijuana?
These dispensaries are in fact acting in the same capacity as a pharmacist with absolutely NO understanding or formal training necessary to identify or avoid any potential drug interactions.
Just thinking.
Let's push this one to the "liability" front burner. Thank You Ken Perkins!

Gallup survey rated MD's as the third most-trustworthy profession, below only nurses and Pharmacists.

A 2012 Gallup survey rated medical doctors as the third most-trustworthy profession, below only nurses and pharmacists. State legislators with pharmacy backgrounds shape health care policy. Although no pharmacists are in Congress, 46 pharmacists currently serve in state legislatures across the country. The November elections may bring as many as 12 new pharmacists to their state legislature; 6 pharmacists are running in 4 of the 25 states now without pharmacist legislators. A majority, 36, are Republicans; 10 are Democrats.
www.mcmenaminfororegon.com
www.pharmacist.com/pharmacists-politics-0

Restricting honest consumers hasn't reduced meth abuse in Oregon!!

It seems that despite the best efforts of Oregon policy makers and law enforcement, methamphetamine (meth) abuse continues to ravage the Beaver State. Recent media coverage, including an Oregonian special report, has unveiled a newer, darker side of the Oregon drug scene: Mexican drug cartels trafficking meth into our state. In the past, they were on the fringe; more meth was produced locally. That has changed. They are now the dominant supplier. And the meth problem has become less predictable, more expensive, harder to spot and generally more violent. The infiltration of drug cartels is the logical outcome of the state's steady decline in local meth production. Since 2005, Oregon, along with surrounding Washington and California, began to see a drastic drop in the number of meth labs busted in the state. The vast majority of Oregon's decline in meth production took place prior to the passage of any prescription law. The fallacy of the Oregon experience has lived on long enough. It is time for policymakers across the country to understand that Oregon's prescription law for pseudoephedrine has failed to achieve its goals. Meanwhile, honest Oregonians who simply want to buy effective cold medicine over the counter have been forced to suffer due to tight restrictions on their personal freedoms.
www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/10/guest...river

Pharmacists in politics!

Although no pharmacists are in Congress, 46 pharmacists currently serve in state legislatures across the country. The November elections may bring as many as 12 new pharmacists to their state legislature; 6 pharmacists are running in 4 of the 25 states now without pharmacist legislators. Of those pharmacists now in office, some had served in government or leadership positions related to pharmacy before their election—state boards of pharmacy, various pharmacy-related committees, and similar groups. Others, however, were new to leadership when elected. A majority, 36, are Republicans; 10 are Democrats.
www.pharmacist.com/pharmacists-politics-0