The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy have released some major updates that should excite many participants in the state medical marijuana program. Beginning January 3, 2022, the plant material tier system for medical marijuana flower purchases will be eliminated; and the amount of flower patients can purchase in a 90-day period will increase to nine ounces, regardless of THC content.
In addition to eliminating the tier system for medical marijuana plant material and increasing the 90-day purchase limit, the Ohio Medical Board has voted to further delay the enforcement of telemedicine regulations to March 31, 2022. The original rules for recommending physicians required that patients get their initial medical marijuana evaluations in-person, and that physicians continue to see their patients in-person at least once a year.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio Medical Board voted to suspend enforcement of these rules, allowing doctors licensed to recommend medical marijuana to evaluate patients through telemedicine, rather than requiring in-person visits. This will be the second time the board has extended the telemedicine provision in response to COVID.
Elimination of the Tier System for Medical Marijuana Plant Material—No More Head-Scratching for Patients
The tier system for medical marijuana plant material has been one of the most confusing parts of the program. Until January 3, 2022, medical marijuana flower with a THC concentration of 23% or less falls under Tier I, and plant material with a THC concentration of more than 23% and no greater than 35% falls under Tier II. Purchase limits vary based on the “tier” of product patients buy from Ohio dispensaries, and the process of calculating how much a patient has left to purchase in a 90-day period has been confusing to say the least.
However, after January 3rd, all medical marijuana flower will fall within the same category, regardless of THC concentration. This means that the day-units of medical marijuana will be much more straightforward. You can find the new day-supply chart released by the Board of Pharmacy here.
Higher Purchase Limits—Patients Can Now Get Their Full 90-Day Supply
As a result of the complicated math in the original program rules, patients could not actually get their full 90-day supply of medical marijuana when purchasing plant material. Beginning on January 3, 2022, patients will be able to purchase a full 9 ounces of medical marijuana flower in a 90-day period. For patients with a terminal illness, there is no change in the 90-day purchase limit. They will still be subject to the same cap of 10 ounces of medical marijuana flower in a 90-day period.
At any time, patients can log into their Ohio Medical Marijuana Registry account with an email address and password in order to find a summary of their medical marijuana purchases so far.
Additional Reminder for Patients and Caregivers
Medical marijuana patients and caregivers in Ohio can log onto the Medical Marijuana Patient Registry at any time, to manage their account and see information related to their recommendation and purchase history. They can also edit their personal information, download and print a copy of their registration card, and reset their password.
In order to make purchases from a dispensary, patients must have an active recommendation from a physician certified to recommend medical marijuana in Ohio, as well as an active patient registration account with the Ohio Medical Marijuana Patient Registry.
Take Advantage of the Telemedicine Extension and See a Doctor Online to Get Your Ohio Medical Marijuana Card Today!
Until March 31, 2022, you can get your marijuana card in Ohio online, without ever leaving home! What’s more, additional positive changes are coming to the Ohio medical marijuana program in the near future.
Ohio Marijuana Card’s convenient telemedicine services connect you with our compassionate online medical marijuana doctors, who will determine if you qualify for medical marijuana treatment, and help you develop a plan to reach your health and wellness goals for 2022 and beyond!
Give our patient support staff a call to get all your questions answered, or make an online appointment to get a medical marijuana evaluation in Ohio today!
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Here at Ohio Marijuana Card, our goal is to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at (866) 457-5559, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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