PRIUM’s Mark Pew Addresses Medical Marijuana at ICT’s Spring Workers’ Comp Seminars

PRIUM's Senior Vice President Mark Pew will present "Medical Marijuana: Implications and Applications" during the Insurance Council of Texas Spring Seminars, April 8 in Austin and April 23 in Dallas. PRIUM is a medical intervention company specializing in managing chronic pain and the prescription drug issues surrounding it.

ICT's Manager of Workers' Compensation Services Steve Nichols recruited Pew to discuss this subject after hearing his 2013 seminar presentations on drug formularies. "Mark understands when and how prescription drugs should be used to treat chronic pain," Nichols said. "His understanding of the issues surrounding marijuana will provide similarly great insights."

Pew will describe the different uses of medical cannabis and share current medical opinions and study results. He will also share lessons learned from states that have legalized its medical and/or recreational use. Pew will then drill down into how proposed legalization in Texas could affect workers' compensation, claims management across state lines, and drug-free work places.

"While some make the case that marijuana has fewer negative consequences than the use of opioids for chronic pain, the effects of its use are not as well-studied or benign as portrayed," said Pew. "Given the momentum of legalization around the country and very recently even in Texas, understanding its health and social implications is imperative to developing a risk mitigation strategy."

The Insurance Council of Texas is a state insurance trade association in the country consisting of approximately 500 property and casualty insurers writing business in Texas.

An Ameritox solutions provider, PRIUM sets the industry standard for workers' compensation medical interventions through its ability to secure higher agreement rates and to help ensure compliance with modified treatment plans.