RECOMMENDING CANNABIS IN OHIO

Physicians must have an active Certificate to Recommend (CTR) from the State Medical Board of Ohio. Physicians who wish to recommend medical cannabis under HB 523 must complete registration with the state. The state is currently developing regulations regarding:

  • The procedures that a physician must follow when applying for a certificate to recommend;
  • The conditions that must be met to be eligible for a certificate to recommend;
  • The schedule and procedures for renewing a certificate to recommend;
  • The reasons for which a certificate to recommend may be suspended or revoked;
  • The standards under which a certificate to recommend suspension may be lifted; and,
  • The minimal standards of care when recommending treatment with medical marijuana.

In the meantime, physicians may issue complete paperwork for patients seeking eligibility for the affirmative defense. The written statement must include confirmation that: (1) the patient and physician are in a bona-fide relationship, (2) the patient has a qualifying condition, (3) the physician has examined the prescription history of the patient from the past year, (4) the physician has discussed the benefits and potential risks with the patient, and (5) the physician agrees that the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.

You can find out more on the Ohio MMP website.

Eligibility for a certificate to recommend medical marijuana requires:

  • applicant holds an active, unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery;
  • has been granted access to and is not under any prohibition for access to the drug database established and maintained by the board of pharmacy;
  • holds an active registration with the DEA;
  • has not been denied a license to prescribe, possess, dispense, administer, supply, or sell a controlled substance by the DEA or appropriate issuing body of any state or jurisdiction;
  • completed at least two hours of continuing medical education in a course or courses certified by the Ohio state medical association or the Ohio osteopathic association that assist physicians in diagnosing qualifying medical conditions and treating said conditions; and
  • has no ownership or investment interest in or compensation agreement with any medical marijuana entity licensed or applicant seeking licensure.

Eligible Medical Conditions:

  • Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Cancer
  • Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
  • Crohn's disease
  • Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Glaucoma
  • Hepatitis C
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Pain that is either of the following:
    • Chronic and severe
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Positive status for HIV
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Spinal cord disease or injury
  • Tourette's syndrome
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Any other disease or condition added by the state medical board under section 4731.302 of the Revised Code.

Medical professionals have a legal right to recommend cannabis as a treatment in any state, as protected by the First Amendment. Established by a 2004 United States Supreme Court decision to uphold earlier federal court rulings that found doctors and their patients have a fundamental Constitutional right to freely discuss treatment options

 More resources for medical professionals can be found here.