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 8 new CTR applications since the July board meeting. As of August 12, 2020, the total number of active certified physicians was 659.

Under Ohio law, the following are qualifying medical conditions: AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable, Parkinson’s disease, positive status for HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis.

The next submission period is scheduled for Nov. 1 – Dec. 31, 2020. Anyone may submit a petition requesting a condition be added to the MMCP. 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.

Telemedicine Reminder

The State Medical Board of Ohio voted to suspend enforcement of telemedicine regulations for licensees during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing the use of telemedicine in place of in-person visits to make recommendations and renewals for medical marijuana.

Physicians with a CTR are also encouraged to add caregivers for their medical marijuana patients, as many patients may be at higher risk for illness and should not be visiting dispensaries to purchase their medical marijuana.
Caregivers may be registered by the physician without an in-person visit.

Physicians must document their use of telemedicine and meet the minimal standard of care. The Medical Board will provide advance notice before resuming enforcement of regulation when the state emergency orders are lifted. Click here to view the current state and federal telemedicine guidance.

State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy Updates
Photo Identification Expansion

In June, the Pharmacy 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. When registering patients and caregivers with one of the additional forms of identification, follow the instructions in this guidance document.

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. Patients receiving only retirement benefits are not eligible for the indigent status.

Changing Physician Information in the Registry

Physician information is displayed in the Registry in the recommendation section. Patients can click on the recommending physician’s name for contact information. You can update the information from your license that is visible to patients by going to OARRS and navigating to the “My Profile” section.

Medical Marijuana Control Program Advisory Committee

The Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee met virtually on Thursday, July 30. The meeting agenda and materials are available here. 

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.