Physicians interested in recommending the use of medical marijuana for patients must apply for a certificate to recommend from the State Medical Board of Ohio.  Physicians must be licensed within the state, with an active registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration.  They must also complete two hours of continuing medical education in a course certified by the Ohio State Medical Association or the Ohio Osteopathic Association.  The course must cover the diagnosis and treatment of the above debilitating medical conditions with medical marijuana.  It also must include the characteristics of medical marijuana and possible drug interactions.  The Ohio Medical Marijuana Certification Course has been approved by the Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) to meet physician continuing education requirements for the state’s Certificate to Recommend (CTR).

Furthermore, pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 4731-32-03, physicians must establish and maintain a bona fide physician-patient relationship with any patient they certify for medical marijuana treatment.  This includes in-person assessments, analysis of medical history, current condition and continuing maintenance of health records.  The physician must document a review of the patient’s current medication to identify possible drug interactions, including benzodiazepines and opioids.  They must also document a review that standard medical treatment has been attempted or considered. If standard medical treatment is not attempted, the physician must document the reasons that standard medical treatment is not appropriate for this patient.  Additionally, the physician must discuss any indicators of patient’s possible abuse or diversion of controlled substances that are reflected on the drug database report obtained from the board of pharmacy.  They must also explain the risks and benefits of treatment with medical marijuana as it pertains to the patient's qualifying medical condition and medical history.