The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy announced that the Ohio medical marijuana patient registry is now open. Physicians who are certified by the State Medical Board to recommend medical marijuana may now enter patient information into the Patient and Caregiver Registry. Once entered, patients will receive an email to complete their registration and pay an annual registration fee. Patients who complete these steps will immediately receive an electronic medical marijuana card that can be used to purchase medical marijuana products at licensed dispensaries.

As Ohio moves closer to its first medical marijuana sale, health care providers should review their policies and procedures to ensure they are adequately prepared to encounter medical marijuana recommendations, possession and use. Specifically, providers should:

• Update bylaws or policies and procedures governing whether employed physicians can recommend medical marijuana.
• Review and modify policies to address patient and caregiver possession and use of medical marijuana on premises.
• Analyze potential liability issues surrounding the use or administration of medical marijuana, including patient self-administration, on premises, and clinical documentation of the same.
• Update drug testing policies regarding employees’ possession and use of medical marijuana.

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