Maybe if there's a Christmas miracle

CANTON Only time will tell whether medical cannabis will be available by the holidays.

The Board of Pharmacy launched the state's patient and caregiver registry last week — indicating that product should be available within 60 days. But a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Commerce, another state agency administering the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program, said that depends on "several things falling into place."

"What the industry is telling us is that there is likely to be a small amount of product available at the very end of this year, very beginning of next year," said Kerry Francis, spokeswoman.

So what needs to happen between now and then?

Certificates of operation

A few cultivators have harvested or started harvesting plants, but only 14 of 27 have the certificate of operation needed to start growing.

No standalone or vertically integrated processors, testing labs or dispensaries have received the final go-ahead. Four cultivators have plant-only processing certificates and two are finalizing their applications, Francis said.

"So they will be able to sell plant materials directly to the dispensaries after it's been tested by a testing lab," she said.

Two testing labs have final inspections scheduled in mid-December. Francis said patients might see a limited supply of plant material at first followed by a quick industry "ramp up."

"Shortly after the new year, we'll start seeing the quantity and the variety increasing," she said.

Patient registration

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy announced Monday that 1,948 patient and caregiver recommendations were submitted in the first week and 1,062 people had activated their registration.

"The registry is our big news of the week, and we're very excited about it," said Grant Miller, medical marijuana patient and caregiver liaison.

Because no dispensaries or products are ready, however, there is no rush to register. Miller said only one dispensary has had a final inspection, and a compliance agent still was assessing the results.

The registration process itself should be relatively short, he said. A physician, who must be state certified to recommend medical cannabis, puts a qualifying patient or caregiver into the system.

Once the physician creates the profile, an email is sent to the patient or caregiver, who can then click on a link to activate and pay for their card. The annual cost is $50 for patients and $25 for caregivers, with discounts for people who are indigent or veterans.

The cards are digital and can be downloaded or printed, Miller said.

The medical board activated the registry since it appears product will be on dispensary shelves before long. The ability to use a physician's written recommendation as a defense from prosecution expires 60 days after the registry opens.

"As for a specific date, that's something we do not have," Miller said.

Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323

or kelly.byer@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: @kbyerREP