COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Anyone who wants to use medical marijuana in Ohio must first be approved and registered by a licensed Ohio physician who has been certified to recommend cannabis by the Ohio State Medical Board.

The medical board approves "certificates to recommend" marijuana at its monthly meetings. Cleveland.com will keep an updated list of all certified doctors as they are approved.

Is your doctor on the list? Are there doctors in your area who can recommend medical marijuana?

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Search our database of doctors who have been certified to recommend medical marijuana in Ohio.

Ohio's medical marijuana law allows patients with one of 21 medical conditions to buy and use medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation, but it does not allow for smoking marijuana or growing it for personal use. Because marijuana is still an illegal substance on the federal level, doctors cannot prescribe it, but they can discuss its use with patients and recommend its use.

Certified physicians must have completed two hours of continuing education credits about cannabis and the qualifying medical conditions.

To recommend medical marijuana, doctors must:

Certify that a "bona fide" relationship exists with the patient;

Certify the patient has a qualifying condition;

Review the patient's history over the past year in the state controlled substances database;

Discuss the pros and cons of marijuana use with the patient.

Patients, and any licensed caregivers, will be registered by the physician. An electronic patient ID card will be immediately issued, so patients can leave the doctor's office and immediately buy marijuana from a dispensary.

Registrations will cost $50 ($25 for veterans and individuals enrolled in federal disability programs) and expire after one year. Registrations are expected to begin later this summer.