I have worked with a number of cannabis patients cared for by Dr Justin Watkins DO. He is a QMP who recommends cannabis and other alternative treatments to his patients. He has a Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine and worked as a ski patroller. He enjoys spending time in the mountains…skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking and hiking. He lives in Ogden with his wife and three young children. You can find Dr Watkins in Brigham City at the Medical Arts Center Clinic where he specializes in family medicine, chronic pain, obesity and addiction. He also recently opened up a unique clinic in Ogden named TruHealth.
His philosophy at TruHealth is the body is treated as a whole. Nature is central in healing, and pharmaceuticals are reserved only for cases of necessity. Dr Watkins believes prevention and lifestyle are the keys to vitality. TruHealth is unique in that they offer something called direct primary care. Patients pay $75 per month in exchange for unlimited appointments with their primary care provider. By designing a clinic without insurance involvement, Dr Watkins is able to offer his services at a much lower price. This clinic design is a refreshing alternative to those of us who are uninsured or underinsured.
Dr Watkins believes in treating the whole person so he may use osteopathic manipulation, massage, chiropractic care, yoga, and mindfulness in his treatments. He educates his patients on both herbal and traditional medications and involves them in selecting their best treatments. His patients often leave the office with recommendations for things like cannabis, ashwagonda, chamomile, kava, magnesium, arnica, turmeric, mindfulness, and yoga. He works with patients on deprescribing medications that are not effective and simplifying complex medication profiles. While he loves herbal and alternative treatments, he also does not reject western medicine entirely. Dr Watkins is a provider that is able to give his patients a number of different tools to use for their treatments. According to him, cannabis is just one of many tools we can use for wellness. I love this approach to medicine and I hope to see more of this in the future.
Quote from a patient of Dr Watkins –
“Took my son to a doctor today. Something that’s hard for me to do as I’ve learned to distrust western medicine. This is his prescription for now and then we will follow up. I wanted to cry in the office. This gives me so much hope for the future of medicine here. This is how it should be. Excited for this moment in my son’s life as well. What a great path to be on towards true health.”
Mindy Madeo is a medical cannabis patient and Utah pharmacist pursuing a Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics Masters degree from the University of Maryland College of Pharmacy. She currently carries the role as Lead Pharmacist for Beehive Farmacy in Brigham City, Utah.
