Medical Marijuana in Oklahoma

An update about the legislation changes

According to a recent update, physicians licensed by the Board of Podiatric Medical examiners are authorized to recommend patients with medical cannabis. So, before you apply for a medical marijuana card, note that your Oklahoma Physical Recommendation form and the online application contain information about your podiatrist who should meet the requirements established by the board.

100% disabled patients are now deemed acceptable for a $20 reduced application fee. In order to qualify for this benefit, the patient should get a letter from the Veteran’s Administration or a federal agency that lists the applicant’s disability status as completely disabled. Attach this with the application form to qualify for the discount.

Well, if you are looking for short-term access, a 60 days medical marijuana license is also available for Oklahoma patients. To qualify for this patients will need to fill a 60-day physician recommendation form. The application fee is $129 depending on who qualifies for the discount.

It’s worth noting that HB 2612 states that authorities cannot deny registered cannabis users access to public assistance, employment, and firearms based on their patient status. https://norml.org/news/2019/03/21/oklahoma-governor-signs-medical-marijuana-regulatory-measure

Also, SB 162 permits organizations licensed by the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners to furnish medical marijuana recommendations to patients.

The state of medical marijuana in Oklahoma

In April 2015 Oklahoma passed a bill that gave patients suffering from epilepsy legal access to CBD or cannabidiol. There is enough evidence to prove that CBD oil is highly effective in various painful conditions and seizure disorders. Later in June 2018, Oklahoma legalized medical marijuana. A basic framework was established to create a system for issuing state-ID cards for qualified patients. Honestly, this was a much-needed step because cannabis has emerged as a brilliant alternative to traditional medicines. It packs the benefits for health without the harmful side-effects. Plus, it’s natural which makes it an ideal candidate for being used by patients suffering from chronic health issues.

The Governor of Oklahoma signed House Bill 2154 to limit the amount of THC content in CBD oils to no more than 0.3%. This step was essential because THC is the main psychoactive compound and CBD is non-psychoactive. So, any trace of THC can disrupt the ideal functioning of CBD.

Governor Mary Fallin stressed the same idea and stated that the bill aims to enhance the life of sick patients through the medicinal benefits of cannabis. There is substantial research to back the positive effects of cannabis and the legalization was a positive step in that direction.

The law also mentions that cannabis treatment will be provided in line with the clinical trials and scientific research to outline patients with the best form of benefits for human health. Such supervision is necessary because the law has a system in place to allow the medicinal use of cannabis in children with debilitating health conditions. So, caution is highly necessary.

In general, if patients need more information about accessing cannabis oil, they can also contact the Oklahoma Department of Healthcare directly.

It’s worth noting that in February 2017, legislation was created to form the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Act of 2018 which decriminalized action on patients that qualify to use medical marijuana for their health.

Proposed legislation and bills

In February 2017, Rep. Eric Proctor introduced the House Bill 1877 to legislate the Marijuana Act of 2017. Well, it’s worth noting the measures proposed in the bill are pretty similar to the Arkansas legislature which was legalized back in November 2016,

State Question 788 lists the qualifying medical conditions for accessing medical marijuana in Oklahoma. The doctor screens your health to check if you have a valid condition and permits you to access based on the analysis. The list of qualifying conditions include:

• Chronic pain
• Glaucoma
• Spasticity
• Severe nausea
• Muscle spasms
• Inflammation
• HIV/AIDS
• Cachexia
• Wasting syndrome
• Cancer
• Anorexia
• Terminal illness
• Crohn’s Disease

How to qualify Oklahoma Cannabis

If you’re not sure who qualifies for marijuana in Oklahoma, we have prepared a definitive guide to make things easier for you. Read up the information about the state’s medical-marijuana program, criminal conviction restrictions, age restrictions, and more.

Medical marijuana laws in Oklahoma

Get information about Oklahoma’s full medical marijuana laws to follow the right approach to using medical cannabis for your health.

Telemedicine-based services in Oklahoma

Ever since telemedicine stepped into the main scene, managing health has been a lot easier. This is especially valid during the COVID-19 pandemic where there is an increased focus on minimizing physical contact to reduce the risk of spread of disease.

Telemedicine is a blessing because it facilitates two communication between the patient and the doctor. Which means you can access the best of health from the comfort of your home. In most cases, this system is achieved through video calls and presents a fluid medium to receive the medical care you deserve.

Oklahoma has a Medicaid Program called SoonCare which is supposed to reimburse when live video is used. Services included in this are telepathology, ECG readings, and teleradiology. The best thing about telemedicine is that it adds a cushion of relaxation while accessing healthcare services. In Oklahoma, telemedicine is used for medical health assessments, pharmacological examinations, psychiatric diagnoses, and office visits. So, telemedicine has orchestrated the whole process in a very fluid yet effective way.

Also, there are certain restrictions on telemedicine operations based on location. The physician must obtain the consent of the patient before offering medical services through the telemedicine-based platform. The coverage of telemedicine services is limited to rural areas or places where there is a lack of medical expertise. Counties with a population of less than 50,000 are considered rural.