Physicians in Ohio can now apply to the state to recommend medical cannabis for qualified patients after completing a two-hour course on the subject. The first round of approvals is expected by the State Medical Board on Apr. 11.
“Please note that just because physicians have an approved CTR, the Ohio Medical Marijuana Program is not fully operational. The program is anticipated to be in place by September 2018.” – State Medical Board of Ohio in a press release
According to the release, the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy is currently structuring the patient registry and officials anticipate the registry will go live “sometime this summer.”
The announcement includes a short video for physicians on how to apply to participate in the program, an application guide, and steps to apply for the state program via eLicensing. Only fully licensed medical doctors and doctors of osteopathic medicine are eligible to recommend medical cannabis to patients in the state.
Progress comes amid lawsuits. Last month six medical cannabis cultivator applicants sued the state claiming that regulators failed to follow their own rules in scoring and awarding the 12 licenses to grow cannabis for the state program. State Sen. Bill Coley has introduced legislation that would suspend the licensing process for 30 days as Auditor David Yost completes his review of that process.