The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program Advisory Committee December Meeting
The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program Advisory Committee convened on Thursday. Their most recent public meeting was held on June 13, leaving an unexplained 6 month gap between bi-monthly meetings. Thus, there was a lot of news to cover throughout the industry on December 12 in their ninety minute meeting. The agenda included reports and updates for program licensees, operations, budgets, physicians, patients, caregivers, qualifying conditions and amending the rules.
Here are six highlights of many issues covered and many questions asked. Fortunately, I not only have my own notes to rely upon but also an entire video of the meeting shot and posted by Anthony Riley from Ohio Cannabis Media, an important social media influencer and patient advocate. Go Anthony!
https://m.facebook.com/story.phpstory_fbid=1429604113871755&id=431638767688483
TOP SIX HIGHLIGHTS 12/12/19 OMMCP Advisory Committee
1. Chris Stock, the new Advisory Committee Member and Patient Advocate, attended his first meeting. He is the sole patient representative on a fourteen member committee covering multiple aspects of Ohio’s medical marijuana industry. Chris met with patients (and reporters) in the lobby for an hour beforehand to collect info and discuss patient concerns. GO Chris! Housing issues, employee drug testing, bans on smoking vs and on home grow, state reciprocity, inaccuracies in the patient registry, affordability, the need for patient education, the court system, parental rights, plus more were raised. (See article: https://www.cleveland.com/open/2019/12/new-ohio-medical-marijuana-committee-member-asked-patients-for-input-he-got-an-earful.html
Go Laura Hancock, talented, progressive reporter! Go Lea Moore Spradlin, a featured member of the Cincinnati Medical Marijuana Meetup!
2. The meeting opened with a review of Ohio’s position on vaping and vaping processing products plus and a few other items. https://www.medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov/programupdate
3. There are multiple program rule amendments being considered throughout the industry. Each rule being considered is posted on the OMMCP website. The public commentary period (Written Only) is open until January 20th. See website for more information. https://www.medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov/Rules
4. Public petition for new qualifying medical conditions to add to Ohio’s medical marijuana program is now open until December 31. See website for details. Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program
5. Applications for new testing labs will be accepted starting in January or February (TBD). Currently, only three labs are open and the state needs more for product testing purposes.
6. The next OMMCP Advisory Committee meeting will be held on Thursday March 5th. These open meetings will be scheduled quarterly, on the first week of the month in 2020. See you there!