David J. Barton MD has been a physician for over 26 years.  He is board certified in Pain Medicine by the American Board of Pain Medicine. Past board certifications include General Surgery (1992) and Plastic Surgery (1995). Lifetime member of the prestigious American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Present member of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. Military service: United States Army Reserve, General Surgeon, Medical Corp Officer, Major, 1990-1999, with temporary active duty in Desert Storm.  Current Chief Medical Officer of Malama First, LLC., a non-profit organization for the enhancement of healthcare and well being in native Hawaiians.

I was a practicing plastic surgeon until I developed neck pain and cervical disc herniations.  I had two level neck fusion surgery  which made things worse, a not too uncommon result of cervical spine surgery. I have lived in the "Pain World" for over 15 years.  Unable to continue my surgical career, I retrained in Pain and Palliative Care at the University of Utah in 2003, completing a rigorous fellowship which allowed for my third board certification.

I was an orthodox Pain Doc until I came to realize that there are a lot of holes in regular "western" or what I call "corporate" medicine.  A lot of conditions and syndromes do NOT have good or satisfying treatments, and people and families are left to suffer.  Too many of my patients just lived month to month on a handful of different types of medications, all of which were narcotics, or heavily controlled substances, leading to dependency. If the goals of improved functionality and well-being are of prime importance, then any substance or effective treatment technique is valid. There is NOTHING morally superior about pills and patches and pharmaceutical drugs, versus a plant that is well known for its safety. Some can even claim that "Herbs" are ordained of God. That is the bottom line: it is safer than nearly all the usual medications out there!

I am not advocating that patients start smoking pot. There are other delivery systems and modalities which are quite promising in the reduction of pain, including ointments, lotions, tinctures, and edibles besides the use of vaporizers. The truth of reality is that the majority of patients prefer to smoke cannabis, which allows for easy titration or metering of the dosage. Shortly, I will have up on this website a lot of the scientific and medical studies which show the exciting world of cannabinoids, and how they "fill the gaps" in the medical world of pain. I have an old website at www.ecpain.com if you would like to learn more about pain, and the various wisdoms of coping with it.

Another bottom line is the fact that those who suffer with chronic pain and other disabling conditions will do whatever it takes to obtain relief, even if it does not follow the dictates of the Federal Government, or the personal opinions of some law enforcement individuals, who might feel some special privilege in acting against medical cannabis patients, the law and the Will of the People of Hawaii. All Hawaiians must stand for what is right in protecting those who are the most at risk and least able to protect themselves.  There is enough shame and fear in the world, let alone the world of disability and pain.

There is a great deal of suffering in the world.  Most politicians and regulators do not see it.  Perhaps they are just uncompassionate.  Medical Cannabis can be the best answer for many of these poorly treated conditions. Through surveys of over one thousand patients, about 75% are able to get off their usual medications, including pain medications, muscle relaxants, sleeping meds, and other psych medications. About 90% say that Medical Cannabis is moderately to very effective for the relief of their pain.  This can be interpreted in several ways, but basically, it means that Cannabis has to be taken seriously as a modality to relieve pain and suffering.  Compare that to opioids, where the common experience and teachings of pain clinics are that opioids relieve only about 30% to 40% of pain.

My Motto: " A thousand Hawaiians can't be wrong"

Hawaiian-Pacific Pain and Palliative Care is based on Oahu. We are a medical clinic, and qualify each patient according to the law and appropriate standards of medicine, with compassion.  We do things the right way, which protects all of our patients, both medically and legally. I will stand by each recommend in any legal proceedings.

I am also a member of Hawaii State Medical Cannabis Working Group. (A committee organized under Hawaii Sen. Will Espero that reflected the Law and Will of the Hawaii Legislature in the formation of the Medical Cannabis Task Force.  It consists of a group of professionals from various backgrounds, who make recommendations for members of the state legislature).

Clinics on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui, and soon, the Big Island, through Malama First.

Call (808) 321-3793 for an appointment or email me by registering on the index page.  My interests include chronic pain and end of life care.