Each month, the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program holds a meeting to discuss events, news and other details, as well as grant approvals of doctor, cultivator, processors and dispensary licenses. That is exactly what the OMMCP did this week when they approved 38 new Ohio doctors to recommend medical marijuana throughout the state, raising the number of total doctors certified to recommend medical marijuana in Ohio to 223!
Many incoming patients ask how doctors get certified to recommend medical marijuana. Not every physician, medical practitioner or medical doctor currently practicing medicine in Ohio is capable of recommending that patients receive a medical marijuana card. In order for a doctor to become certified by the state to recommend marijuana, doctors must comply with the following rules:
Hold an active, unrestricted MD or DO license from the State Medical Board of Ohio and active registration with the drug enforcement administration
Participate in continuing education in the cannabis field by completing an annual Certified Medical Marijuana (cannabis expertise) course
Complete an application to obtain a Certificate to Recommend (CTR) from the State Medical Board of Ohio
If the applying doctor is compliant with Ohio regulations, they will be certified, allowing them to recommend medical marijuana to qualifying patients.
As noted above, doctors and healthcare professionals seeking certification must also complete an extensive cannabis expertise course to show they have a comprehensive understanding of medical marijuana. These annual courses can range between two and four hours, and cover a variety of topics, including:
A history of medical cannabis
Understanding the endocannabinoid system
Phytocannabinoid pharmacology, toxicology, addiction and the side effects of medical cannabis and its constituents
Recommending cannabis as a medicine: dosing and delivery
Assessing the risks and benefits of cannabinoid therapy with individual patients and identifying good candidates for treatment
Clinical indications: chronic pain, spasticity, seizures and PTSD
How to create specific cannabis or cannabinoid treatment plans for patients
Legal information, both federal and state rules, regulations and laws
Patients wishing to visit a doctor for a medical marijuana card recommendation must have the following:
A valid Ohio state ID or license
One of the 21 medical conditions approved for medical marijuana use
Medical records relevant to qualifying conditions
An appointment with one of our doctors certified to recommend marijuana in Ohio
$50 application fee for the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy
An examination where our doctor looks over your records and recommends medical marijuana for you
Once you have our doctor recommendation and you’ve paid the applicable fees, you should receive your card in just a few weeks. Our friendly staff at Ohio Marijuana Card will take care of everything for you, from helping you find your nearest doctor, to collecting your medical records before your appointment, and submitting your recommendation to the Board of Pharmacy after the appointment. We’ll even help find the dispensary nearest you! Also, we have the most affordable pricing anywhere in Ohio, and discounts for veterans.
As always, we'll keep our customers updated as new doctors, cultivators, processors and dispensaries get underway. Exciting time for Ohioans! Stay tuned.