This newsletter is distributed to physicians with an active Certificate to Recommend Medical Marijuana (CTR) and provides important updates for the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program (OMMCP). 

The State Medical Board of Ohio approved 6 new CTR applications since the June board meeting. As of July 8, 2020, the total number of active certified physicians was 653.

New Qualifying Condition

The State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) met on July 8 to discuss the petitions to add three qualifying conditions to the OMMCP. The full board voted to accept the petition and add cachexia as a qualifying condition, effective immediately. The board also voted to reject petitions for autism spectrum disorder and anxiety disorder. This brings the total number of qualifying conditions in the medical marijuana program to 22.

Anyone may submit a petition requesting a condition be added to the OMMCP during the next submission period, November 1 – December 31, 2020. If a condition has been previously rejected by the board, the new petition must contain new scientific information that supports the request. Details on the process can be found here.

Updating the Patient & Caregiver Registry
Adding cachexia as a diagnosis option in the Registry will require a website update. The option is expected to be available by the end of the month. In the meantime, physicians will need to follow these instructions if they are recommending marijuana for a patient with cachexia:

• If the diagnosis includes two conditions, the physician may select the present condition and make a notation in the comment box indicating that cachexia is also a diagnosis.
• If the patient's only diagnosis is cachexia, the physician may select another condition and notate cachexia as the actual diagnosis in the comment box.

This process will only be needed until the Registry is updated. If you have questions about the Registry, contact the Registry support team.

New License Renewal Option

Physicians who no longer want to make recommendations can now surrender their CTR with no formal board action. The Medical Board has added an option in the renewal process to renew a physician license without renewing their CTR. If the option is selected, the physician’s license number will drop the “CTR” suffix and the CTR endorsement will be given an inactive status. Please email license@med.ohio.gov if you have questions.

State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy Updates
Extension of Registration Period for Terminally Ill Patients
In June, the board passed a resolution to extend the expiration date for all patients who are terminally ill from six months to one year from the date of registration. Click here to view the resolution.

 

Photo Identification Expansion

In June, the board authorized physicians to accept additional forms of identification in lieu of a driver’s license or other identification issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to prove Ohio residency. The list of approved forms can be accessed here.

 

Indigent Status Reminder

In accordance with rule 3796:7-3-01 of the Ohio Administrative Code, patients wishing to register with indigent status based on the benefits they receive from Social Security must provide documentation establishing the patient’s identity (name), enrollment in the federal "Social Security Disability Income" (SSDI) or the "Supplemental Security Income" (SSI) disability programs specifically, and the amount of monthly SSDI or SSI benefits to be received by the patient during the current year of the registration submission.

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.

 

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 or to place an order online through the dispensary’s website. Click here to view the guidance.

Medical Marijuana Control Program Advisory Committee

The next Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, July 30. The agenda will be posted at https://medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov/advisory-committee.

Available Products Update

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.