OMMP stands for Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, which is a state program administered by the Department of Public Health. This program grants patient cards to Oregon residents with the written recommendation of a physician or doctor, an MD or DO.
If you want to know how to get a cannabis OMMP card in Oregon, you must consider several factors. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program card is for patients with qualifying medical conditions.
Now we will explain, step by step, the process of how to get a cannabis OMMP card.
First, determine if you have a debilitating condition.
In order to get a cannabis OMMP card in the state of Oregon, you must have a qualifying debilitating medical condition such as chronic pain or PTSD, and a physician must sign a form called the Attending Physician’s Statement that indicates the condition for which you are using cannabis. Your physician must be a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) licensed to practice medicine in Oregon. You must have an established patient/physician relationship with your attending physician.
In Oregon, a medical marijuana patient must have a debilitating condition such as any of the following:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- A serious discomfort from the side effects of Alzheimer’s disease
- HIV or AIDS
- Any medical condition that produces symptoms of major weight loss, nausea, severe pain, seizures, or muscle spasms.
If you have any of these medical conditions, you can apply for a cannabis OMMP card.
Second, go see a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) to document your condition.
Naturopaths, chiropractors, and nurse practitioners cannot sign the Attending Physician Statement, but they are important and can provide additional chart notes which demonstrate ongoing treatment of your condition.
For folks who have direct access to a doctor or a specialist, your personal physician can sign your Attending Physician Statement during your annual physical exam or during any other appointment. Some doctors in the state of Oregon don’t feel comfortable signing the Attending Physician Statement and will prefer that you see a doctor who specializes in medical cannabis.
To get a cannabis OMMP card, the doctor who has specialized knowledge of marijuana as a medicine will then be the one to sign your Attending Physician Statement for the OMMP. So while it may seem silly, you may have to see a second doctor to qualify for your medical condition who will sign your doctor’s note for the state of Oregon.
Like many of us who do not have an Oregon health plan, insurance, or a primary care physician, the only doctor available to us is at an urgent care center. This is a very viable option and often costs less than seeing a doctor that’s part of a large clinic.
There are several Urgent Care centers in Bend, for example, and they are generally less costly than a visit to Bend Memorial Clinic. An MD or a DO must document your condition, and not a Physician’s Assistant (PA). The health care provider can make you a copy of your “chart notes” which are your medical records that prove you have seen the physician so you can get a cannabis OMMP card.
Many physicians have not had continuing education coursework regarding the benefits of medical cannabis. Or, they may work for a large healthcare organization that has a policy that prohibits a doctor from signing the Attending Physician Statement (often relating to insurance or other contractual reasons).
Third, document your ongoing treatment for your condition.
So how do you get a cannabis OMMP card once you have been diagnosed? In addition to your chart notes that document your qualifying medical condition, you need to have been seen by a medical professional within the last 2 years, and it is also important that you be seeking ongoing treatment for your condition. Some physicians require such proof of ongoing treatment, which could be a visit to the chiropractor or acupuncturist, in order to sign your annual OMMP renewal documents.
It’s not uncommon for individuals to access “alternative” treatment modalities, such as chiropractic or acupuncture, with more frequency than their visits to a normal “regular” MD. Some people never see a regular doctor and only have chart notes from their alternative care providers.
It’s best to include these chart notes as well when you visit a doctor who has knowledge about marijuana medicine. The doctor who knows a lot about marijuana may not be the doctor who diagnoses your condition to become a medical marijuana patient. They are different doctors who perform different services.
Lastly, register with the state.
The last step you need to know when understanding how to get a cannabis OMMP card is to take your MD or DO recommendation to the state. Once you have paid a $100 fee, you will receive temporary papers until your approval is accepted that state you are a qualified medical marijuana patient.
To get a Caregiver card, simply have a patient designate you as a Caregiver on his or her OMMP application.
To get a cannabis OMMP card, a copy of the Caregiver’s driver’s license or state issued ID is all that’s required with respect to documentation. The patient will also need to include the Caregiver’s mailing address.
It costs nothing for a Patient to designate someone as his or her Caregiver. Caregivers are an important part of the OMMP program; they are important for patients. Caregivers often run life errands, buy and deliver groceries, and provide respite care for families.
A Caregiver in the state of Oregon can also pick up a Patient’s medical marijuana from a facility and deliver them to the Patient. Our facility delights in our frequent interactions with our Patients, but understand this is not always possible. We want our Caregivers to know they are supported and appreciated too – for the generous and humanizing service they provide to the community. We will often simply refer to our guests as clients, and they include both Patients and their Caregivers.
So if you ever need to learn how to get a cannabis OMMP card, these are the steps to follow. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act (OMMA) protects medical marijuana users who comply with its requirements from Oregon criminal prosecution. This protection extends to production, possession, or delivery of marijuana.
Substance provides safe access to recreational marijuana and medical marijuana. If you are an OMMP cardholder or designated caregiver, we have everything you need from flower to edibles to topicals. Substance maintains strict compliance with the letter and the spirit of Oregon’s medical cannabis laws. However, we aim to deliver cannabis products to improve our customers’ lives.
OMMP Doctors
The process of obtaining your medical marijuana card in the state of Oregon is not as difficult as it may seem. For a complete guide on the entire process of obtaining your OMMP card, visit our informational page. Today, we are going to be talking specifically about an OMMP doctor and how to consult with them in order to get your Oregon marijuana card.
Ideally, you would have an awesome primary physician who is comfortable signing the Attending Physician’s Statement, which is a required piece to obtaining your marijuana card. For information on talking to your doctor about cannabis, and other useful information, visit the Americans for Safe Access website for detailed information on the subject. Many doctors are not comfortable with this, however, and many folks do not have a primary doctor that they see on a regular basis who is familiar with their medical conditions.
If your primary doctor is not an option for you, then you will have to visit a clinic of OMMP doctors who will be able and willing to assist you. These are qualified professionals who are often familiar with the benefits of medical cannabis and want nothing more than to help you obtain your OMMP card – but they will need some proof of your qualifying medical condition in order to give you their signature.
In this case proof of your condition means a documented medical record of the condition or conditions dating back at least three months. These can come from your primary doctor, or they can come from an alternative source such as a chiropractor. Many clinics only accept records from physicians and chiropractors. Medical providers such as acupuncturists and massage therapists are not included.
Most medical marijuana clinics will also charge a fee for the signature – but both of these factors will vary from clinic to clinic. It is beneficial to contact the clinic you are interested in to find out their personal policies.
Dosage Control
Precision is paramount when measuring after infusing your own cannabis oil. Begin cautiously, especially if you are a novice to cannabis consumption.
Starting with small amounts allows you to gauge your tolerance and observe the initial effects. Gradually adjust dosages based on your experience to achieve an optimal balance between therapeutic benefits and comfort. This approach minimizes the risk of overconsumption and provides a more controlled and enjoyable experience.
Keeping a dosage journal is a valuable practice. Record the strain used, the dosage administered, and the resulting effects. This journal serves as a personalized reference, helping you understand how different factors contribute to your cannabis experience. It aids in fine-tuning your dosages for specific desired effects, creating a roadmap for future use.
For accurate measurements, consider using graduated droppers or syringes. These tools provide precision, ensuring you can administer consistent dosages. Experiment with different dosages and intake methods to discover what works best for you. By maintaining a mindful and informed approach to dosage control, you can harness the benefits of cannabis without compromising your comfort or well-being.
Medical marijuana clinic options in the Bend areas include:
Heather Krantz, M.D.
Website
If you are interested in speaking with a physician trained in both traditional and alternative methods of medical care who embraces cannabis as an option, please make an appointment.
Green Earth Medicine
Website
Green Earth Medicine is a lovely clinic with an office in Bend. They offer significant discounts to folks who benefit from programs such as OHP or food benefits. They accept referrals from acupuncturists and massage therapists, as long as you have more than one visit with the provider to show your condition represents a chronic problem.
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