Fayetteville physician to chair Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association board

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association has named Dr. Regina Thurman of Fayetteville as chairman of the board of directors for the association, the leading trade group for the state’s medical marijuana industry.

Dr. Thurman is medical director for Optimal Pain and Wellness in Fayetteville. According to a news release, she specializes in using comprehensive approaches for the treatment of pain. She will serve on the board of the association, which was established last November the day after Arkansas voters ratified a new constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana. The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association is dedicated to protection and promotion of the medical marijuana industry.

“I am eager to begin working with Arkansas’s premier medical marijuana industry group to help better educate physicians and medical professionals throughout the state about regulations, policies and best practices for safe medical marijuana use,” Dr. Thurman said in the release. “As a pain management specialist, I recognize that prescription medical marijuana may be an important alternative treatment for a patient, as opposed to opioids, many of which are highly addictive. The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association will ensure that clinicians, cultivators and distributors remain up-to-date on legislation and timely research applicable to this new sector within our economy.”

Dr. Thurman replaces Dr. Steve Cathey, who chose not to serve on the board to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest with his position on the Arkansas State Medical Board. David Couch, a board member and acting executive director of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association, said Dr. Thurman, with her background and experience, will be an important voice on the association’s board.

“Physicians play an instrumental role in the safe and effective use of medical marijuana, and Arkansas’ physicians need a champion within the state’s primary industry trade group,” Couch said. “With the addition of Dr. Thurman, we have board members who have backgrounds in medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and law, and board members who have specific experience within the medical cannabis industry in other states. This diverse group of experts will help us implement and influence policy for the betterment of cultivators, distributors and other businesses connected with the industry.”

Dr. Thurman said medical marijuana may be an effective treatment for patients who suffer chronic pain, helping provide patients with a better quality of life. Prescription medical marijuana can also help reduce the use of opioids, thus decreasing opioid addiction, abuse and death.

Dr. Thurman is a graduate of the University of Arkansas.