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 six new CTR applications since the September board meeting. As of October 14, 2020, the total number of active certified physicians was 662.

Submitting Petitions for New Qualifying Conditions  

The next submission period is scheduled for Nov. 1 – Dec. 31, 2020. Anyone may submit a petition requesting a condition be added to the OMMCP. If a condition has been previously rejected by the board, the new petition must contain new scientific information that supports the request. No submissions will be accepted before November 1. Details on the process can be found here. 

• 168,678 Recommendations 
• 131,654 Registered Patients 
  • 9,267 Patients with Veteran Status 
  • 9,694 Patients with Indigent Status
  • 724 Patients with a Terminal Diagnosis
• 103,642 Unique patients who purchased medical marijuana (as reported to OARRS by licensed dispensaries)
• 14,775 Registered Caregivers

State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy Updates

Caregiver Requirements

Prior to registering a caregiver, the Board of Pharmacy is encouraging physicians with a CTR to notify prospective caregivers that their registration will not be approved by the Board of Pharmacy if they are identified in any of the following databases:

• The system for award management (SAM) maintained by the United States General Services Administration.
• The list of excluded individuals and entities maintained by the Office of Inspector General in the United States Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to 42 U.S.C. part 1320a-7 (as effective on January 3, 2017) and 42 U.S.C. part 1320c-5 (as effective on January 3, 2017).
• The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) online abuser registry established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code.
• The internet-based sex offender and child-victim offender database established under division (A)(11) of section 2950.13 of the Revised Code.
• The national sex offender public website established under 18 United States Code 16918
• The internet-based database of Department of Rehabilitation and Correction inmates established under section 5120.66 of the Revised Code.

In accordance with rule 3796:7-2-02 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC), the Board of Pharmacy is required to check each of the above-listed databases to see if the caregiver is identified on any of them. If a prospective caregiver is identified in any of the databases, their application will be denied, and they will not receive a refund for the registration fee. The caregiver eligibility review process can take up to seven business days to complete.

Additionally, caregivers must be 21 years of age or older. The only exception is that the parent of a minor patient may serve as the minor patient's caregiver if the parent is at least 18 years of age and otherwise meets the caregiver requirements.

Medical Marijuana Cards

Once a recommendation is completed and the patient remits payment, the patient must print or maintain a copy of their medical marijuana card electronically. The card is available on the patient's Registry profile page and can be downloaded to a computer or mobile device. The Board of Pharmacy does not send physical cards to patients.

Veteran Status

In accordance with rule 3796:7-3-01 of the Ohio Administrative Code, patients wishing to register with veteran status must provide approved documentation to the Board of Pharmacy demonstrating their military service. Spouses and family members of veterans DO NOT qualify for veteran status.

Patient Renewal

Patients seeking to renew their medical marijuana registration will not receive another “activation” email upon receipt of their new recommendation. Once a new recommendation is submitted by the physician, the patient can log into the Patient & Caregiver Registry to remit their annual registration fee and renew their card. Patients who need assistance logging into their Registry account due to a lost password can send an email to MMCPRegistry@pharmacy.ohio.gov to request a password reset link.

Photo Identification Expansion

In June, the Board of Pharmacy authorized physicians to accept additional forms of identification in lieu of a driver 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.

The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program (OMMCP) issued a mandatory product recall on edible products sold by Mother Grows Best, LLC dba Verano Brands. This recall was initiated by the OMMCP because the product did not pass the full battery of required testing and was sold at specific dispensaries.

The OMMCP identified the brand product, Encore Edibles (Dark Chocolate), as exceeding the regulatory thresholds for cadmium. Cadmium is a heavy metal found in soil and water that can be absorbed by and accumulated in plants (including cocoa beans) that are used to make food products. For non-smokers, food is the main source of cadmium intake for the general population. Increased daily exposure to cadmium can pose a health risk to patients.

Click here for more information about the product recall.

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.