Despite medical marijuana to be sold in Ohio soon, there will be thousands of doctors employed by Northeast Ohio’s three major health systems that won’t be allowed to recommend marijuana to their patients.
The Cleveland Clinic, as well as University Hospitals and MetroHealth have said they will not allow their doctors to recommend the drug.
Many of the over 300 doctors currently certified by Ohio to recommend medical marijuana are in private practice and not directly employed by a hospital system.
Cleveland Clinic spokesperson Angie Kiska stated that the FDA’s process is “the most effective way to ensure the safety, efficacy, and purity of medications provided to patients across Ohio. Until the marijuana products receive regulatory approval, we will not be involved with the distribution of unapproved cannabis products through dispensaries.”
University Hospitals spokesperson Katelyn McCarthy said they will not allow their 4,000 doctors to recommend cannabis “due to the discrepancy between state and federal law with regard to the legality of marijuana use.”
The ban does not apply to doctors affiliated with, but not directly employed by, the hospitals.
“MetroHealth is currently reviewing the available information (the current regulatory framework, the science supporting medical cannabis, and the needs of our patient population) to develop a policy,” spokesperson Tina Arundel stated.
