For docs like Pradeep Chopra, long habituation to prescribing cautiously tested medications by accurate milligram, prescribing medical marijuana poses a threat of a particular kind.

The D. C. Council gave its ultimate approval to a bill on Tuesday, establishing an authorized medical marijuana program.

If Congress signs off, District docs such as their equivalents in 14 states, counting Rhode Island as well, where Chopra works, will be permitted to add pot to the therapies, they can advise to definite patients, who will then consume it, smoke it or vaporize it, until they make a decision that they are, fine and high enough.

The precise dose and means of delivery, plus the sometimes confusing process of getting a drug, which continues to be prohibited under centralized law, will be left mainly up to the patient.

This has overturned the docs' situation. Even in states that permit marijuana, to be used for medical purposes, docs cannot prescribe it in writing because of the drug's illegal status.

Physicians can only advise their patients to use it, if needed, but they are not eligible to prescribe marijuana to their patients in writing.

Doctors are put off with the decision and are worrying over the issue.