Nurse practitioners could get OK to authorize pot for patients

A rule change proposed by Massachusetts health officials would allow certified nurse practitioners to authorize medical marijuana use for patients.

Public hearings on that and other revisions to the medical marijuana program will take place Tuesday in Boston and on Thursday in Holyoke, WBZreported.

Under current rules, doctors must give patients permission before they canregister to use marijuana for medical conditions. The new rule would allow nurse practitioners toOK medical marijuana use, although a physician must still certify use by any minor.

Another proposed change would allow caregivingfacilitiesto register with the state to administer medical marijuana, rather than forcing each employee to register separately.

Massachusetts votersapproved medical marijuana in 2012and in November approved recreational marijuana useby adults over 21.