The June 13, 2019 Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program Advisory Committee Summary
The committee hearing began with a statewide OMMCP update:
Top News- Of the five new qualifying condition petitions that made it through the Ohio Medical Board gauntlet, none were accepted.
Insomnia, depression and opioid use disorder were shockingly rejected and anxiety plus autism were tabled to be discussed at some later time. I guess it’s tough luck if you are suffering from autism or anxiety right now, today, this minute. And even worse luck if you are depressed, battling opioid addiction or have sleepless nights. But no such bad luck if you are a pharmaceutical company doing business in Ohio! I’m guessing keeping its 50,000 opiate customers would be an important business move. Even more profitable than duping those suffering from anxiety, depression, insomnia or autism….
Dispensaries - Eighteen of Ohio’s 56 provisionally licensed dispensaries have now opened. Most are concentrated in the northern part of the state, except for Terrasana in Columbus and About Wellness Ohio in Lebanon. Rumor has it that Have a Heart on Vine Street in Cincinnati will open (fully stocked) on July 15th.
The delays are due to inspections, local ordinances and physical issues. This committee is meeting once or twice a week and is even extending critical deadlines to help Ohio’s medical marijuana businesses roll out as soon as possible. Their goal is to issue more Certificates of Operation. However, they are tasked with following the new laws to the letter, in every aspect from seed to sale. Unfortunately, this makes it difficult for Ohio’s MMJ patients. They are still facing problems getting their medication due to geographical access, limited products and high costs.
Products - Each patient is allowed to purchase a daily dose of 2.82 gram (1/10 of an oz) of dried marijuana flower in up to 90-day increments. The average cost of a portion of dried flower is $42. Dispensaries take cash or debit cards only and there is presently no health insurance covering it. Two tinctures are now being sold (110 ml for $40 from Standard Wellness called “The Drops” and 220ml for $80 and 440ml for $120 from Grow Ohio under the name of Butterfly Effect). All the tinctures are high THC and no CBD just like the Butterfly Effect Gummies. This fruity (mango or blueberry) candy costs $78 for a pkg of 10 and keeps selling out! Half gram oil syringes filled with sativa or indica vaping oil at a 5:1 THC:CBD ratio are also available for a mere $175! We are still waiting for topicals, capsules and more as additional processors open across the state.
Processors - Ohio granted 39 statewide provisional licenses in two phases. Of the 39 licenses granted, only four processors began manufacturing tinctures (two brands) plus oils and gummies.
Testing Labs - Three out of five licensed testing labs are opened to test medical marijuana plant samples from cultivators and its derivatives extracted by processors. The State is looking for more lab applications as our MMJ program grows. The two unopened labs have decided not to pursue their licensure so Ohio will need additional testing facilities for proper turnaround times and to prevent product gridlock. The OMMCP will be taking new applications soon.
Cultivators - Out of the 30 Provisional licenses granted in Ohio, 17 received their Certificates of Operation. They are selling their lab tested, packaged and labeled plant material (called bud or dried flower) to dispensaries.
Patients - At present, Ohio has 35,162 registered patients, of the over 42K with recommendations. Most are older. 41% are between 50-70 years of age. Another 21% are over 40. It is no surprise to find that pain is still the most prevalent qualifying condition (25,843) in our State. Followed by 6193 patients with PTSD, 4515 with fibromyalgia, 2690 with cancer, 2061 with spinal cord disease or injury, 1326 with epilepsy or seizure disorder, 943 with multiple sclerosis, 903 with Crohn’s disease, 807 with hepatitis C, 755 with traumatic brain injury, 671 with glaucoma, 529 with IBS, 455 with ulcerative colitis, 387 with Parkinson’s, 269 with HIV, 160 with Tourette’s syndrome, 75 with CTE, 52 with AIDS, 52 with sickle cell anemia, and 44 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These numbers are high as many of Ohio’s patients, unfortunately, suffer from more than one qualifying condition.
CTR Doctors - To help them, there are 512 CTR physicians in Ohio. Sadly, this is only one percent of our 50,000 doctors! Thankfully, another 28 were certified just yesterday. Records in other MMJ states show that once local dispensaries open and products become available, more doctors will become registered. The OMMCP just added an interactive search map for CTR physicians on its website.
Patient Education -The State is engaging in discussions with dispensaries on how to better educate patients on strains, forms, doses, storage, effects and safety. (HEY, I’M DOING THIS ALREADY!). They need to carefully navigate the fine line between patient education and numerous advertising restrictions…. (HEY, I HAVE NONE!) This is a good time to check out the rest of my website: www.medicalmarijuanapatientcare.com .Tell people about it. More local public education is crucial.