Pharmacy board to increase pot purchase limits
Ohio's medical marijuana patients will soon be able to buy more marijuana over a 90-day period.
The Board of Pharmacy filed a rule Monday that would allow people to purchase 9 ounces of dried flower regardless of THC content, eliminating a convoluted system that patients have complained about for years. The board will consider a resolution during its meeting “This will ultimately simplify the days supply count for dispensary staff and reduce confusion amongst patients about what constitutes a single day supply.”
Cameron Mcnamee The Board of Pharmacy spokesman
next week and could implement the change as soon as Jan. 3.
“This will ultimately simplify the
days supply count for dispensary staff and reduce confusion amongst patients about what constitutes a single day supply,” spokesman Cameron Mcnamee said in an email.
Ohio currently limits patients to 8 ounces of flower over 90 days, or 5.3 ounces of higher potency marijuana. The daily allotment of 2.83 grams didn’t properly factor into that amount, which left patients unable to get a full 90-day supply.
To fill in the gaps, they instead turned to the unregulated black market and dispensaries in Michigan to the detriment of Ohio businesses, an investigation by the Cincinnati Enquirer found.
A bipartisan Senate bill that aims to expand Ohio’s medical marijuana program would codify the 9-ounce limit within 90 days. The legislation had its second hearing before lawmakers earlier this week.
Haley Bemiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.