The CTR newsletter is distributed to physicians with an active CTR and provides important updates for the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program. 

The State Medical Board of Ohio has approved 15 new certificate to recommend medical marijuana (CTR) applications since the April board meeting. As of May 13, 2020, the total number of active certified physicians was 639.

The board's Medical Marijuana Committee expects to receive an expert report for cachexia by the end of May. Once it has been received, the committee will meet to discuss and vote on its recommendation to the full board. The board will then vote to add or reject anxiety, autism spectrum disorder and cachexia as qualifying conditions. Board agendas, including agendas for the Medical Marijuana Committee, will be available on the board’s website: https://med.ohio.gov/The-Board/Board-Meetings-Minutes

CTR Physician Survey

The Medical Board accepted survey responses from March 4 – April 22, 2020.  In total, 435 physicians responded to the survey. The board will review the submitted data and publish a report of its findings. Completion of this survey will satisfy the rule requirement for CTR physicians to submit an annual report to the board.

State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy Updates

Amended Program Rules Update

The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy has filed amended program rules with the Common Sense Initiative Office (CSI). Those impacted by the proposed rules may submit comments to CSI and the board for review until close of business on May 25, 2020.

Click here for the CSI Business Impact Analysis, the amended rule text, and instructions on how to provide comments.

The CSI document and rule text are also available on the Board of Pharmacy proposed rules page (under the Common Sense Initiative header): www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/proposed.

Temporary Expansion of Caregiver Registration

In order to expedite the caregiver registration process and reduce exposure to higher risk patients during the COVID-19 outbreak, the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy issued guidance for caregiver registration that authorizes a patient to have up to three caregivers. Additionally, the guidance permits caregivers to be added by submitting an application directly to the Board of Pharmacy. This guidance, along with the Board’s new Caregiver Registration Application, can be accessed here.

Photo Identification Requirements

To address patient access and closures of BMVs around the state, the Board of Pharmacy has adopted additional guidance on photo identification requirements. Click here to view the guidance. 

Sales to Patients and Caregivers Outside the Dispensary Department (“Curbside Pickup”)

To reduce opportunities for patient and caregiver exposure during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Board of Pharmacy has adopted a resolution to permit medical marijuana dispensaries to temporarily conduct sales to patients and caregivers outside of the dispensary department. Click here to view more information on this resolution.

Accepting Phone Orders for Medical Marijuana

To further protect patients, caregivers, and dispensary employees during the public health emergency, the Board of Pharmacy now permits a patient/caregiver to telephone a medical marijuana dispensary and place an order for the sale of medical marijuana. Click here to view the guidance.

To help inform physicians choosing to include instructions for use, the types of products currently available through the Medical Marijuana Control Program are listed below.