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 has approved 6 new certificate to recommend medical marijuana (CTR) applications since the July board meeting. As of August 11, 2021, the total number of active certified physicians is 651.

Telemedicine Update

Ohio Administrative Code 4731-32-03 and Ohio Revised Code 4731.30 require an in-person visit to make an initial recommendation and an in-person examination at least once a year.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Medical Board suspended enforcement of regulations that required in-person visits, until the expiration of Executive Order 2020-01D. This allowed the use of telemedicine in situations that previously required in-person visits, including for physicians with a CTR to use telemedicine for initial visits and renewals.

In June, the board voted to resume enforcement of the regulation on September 17, 2021, three months after the lifting of the state declaration of emergency. However, on August 11 the board voted to extend the suspension of regulation for in-person visits until December 31, 2021, to ensure accessibility and safety for patients during this time. 

The Medical Board approved telemedicine FAQs that provide guidance on telemedicine in Ohio and the Medical Board’s resumption of enforcement. Click here to view the FAQs.

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, Huntington’s disease, 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, spasticity, spinal cord disease or injury, terminal illness, Tourette syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis.

The next submission period is scheduled for Nov. 1 – Dec. 31, 2021. 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.

Renewing your CTR

As a reminder, your CTR will remain active when you renew your license unless you make the choice to inactivate it during your renewal process. If you have questions about renewing your license or inactivating your CTR, please email license@med.ohio.gov.

Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee

The Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee met on Thursday, August 12, 2021. Click here to access the meeting materials and recording. 

State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy Updates

Caregiver Registration

On August 9, 2021, the Board of Pharmacy voted to terminate the Temporary Expansion of Caregiver Registration effective September 8, 2021. Thereafter, all caregivers must be registered through a recommending physician and the Board of Pharmacy will no longer be able to register caregivers directly. Additionally, each patient will be permitted to have up to two caregivers linked to their account and each caregiver will be permitted to have up to two patients.

Notwithstanding the two patient and two caregiver limit, a request for additional caregivers or additional patients may be made to the Board of Pharmacy pursuant to OAC 3796:7-2-02(F). Additionally, the Board of Pharmacy will not be removing existing caregivers who registered under this expansion.

Identification Requirements for Patients and Caregivers

The Board of Pharmacy also voted to terminate the previously issued Photo Identification Requirements for Patients and Caregivers, which allowed patients and caregivers to use expired state-issued identification and other forms of identification due to the closure of BMVs throughout the state.

Patients and caregivers may still register using other forms of identification besides Ohio driver’s licenses and Ohio BMV issued identification cards, including birth certificates, passports, and driver’s licenses or other identification issued by another state. Patients and caregivers must demonstrate Ohio residency and the Ohio address must be used as the registration address, even if the patient or caregiver uses out-of-state identification to register. The Board of Pharmacy’s resolution can be found here and a guide on registering individuals with other forms of identification can be found here.  

Linking Patients & Caregivers

Upon activating or renewing their card, caregivers must undergo the Caregiver Approval Process. Caregivers cannot be processed through the Caregiver Approval Process if they are not “linked” to a patient. Physicians must link caregivers to the appropriate patient immediately following the caregiver’s registration. Physicians must always ensure they are linking the caregiver to the appropriate patient.

Password Reset Instructions

Physicians and delegates can assist patients with password resets without contacting the Board for assistance. If a patient is requesting a password reset, please visit ohiomedicalmarijuanaregistry.com and click the “Reset Password” button. NOTE: This will not reset your password. The below window will appear. Physicians and delegates can then enter the patient’s email address as it appears in the Patient & Caregiver Registry and a password reset email will be sent to the patient. Patients will not receive a password reset if the email address entered does not match the email address attached to their patient profile.

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.